Well hey, I'm always up for any story which positively promotes the goodness of chocolate and I was alerted to this BBC news feature by Rob, another devoted chocolate fiend. According to this report, a mouthful of dark chocolate each day could help reduce blood pressure, the effect of which has been attributed to the chemical plant substances known as flavanols which are contained in the cocoa.
While the British Heart Foundation are trying to say 'no way, too much fat and sugar', there is emphasis from the researchers that asking people to consume a couple of chunks of chocolate a day was far easier than encouraging "complex behavioural changes" to help them reduce their blood pressure.
As well, dark chocolate contains very little fat and sugar - especially the 75%/80% cocoa brands which I really love. And as we know, a little deprivation goes a long way in making you feel like you just HAVE to eat tonnes of the stuff! Eat a little when you like and enough to satisfy, and you'll never feel the need to binge.
I'm Andrea, and am obsessed with creating fabulous food. After I managed to ditch dieting, the reason Chocolate and Beyond was born, it seemed natural to evolve my site into a foodie blog. More so since I also ditched animal produce to be vegan. Now, I love showing how inventive cruelty-free cooking can be. And sometimes I like to rant, too. I wouldn't be myself otherwise :) x 
Andrea,
I would not say "fiend", I just think chocolate makers have a hard time and I want to help them
Rob
Posted by: Rob Artisan | July 05, 2007 at 02:13 PM
A slab or five of chocolate a day is absolutely good for you - I've been arguing this very point for years.
But I might add it has to be the very best DARK chocolate - preferably Green & Black...
Posted by: Lucia | July 08, 2007 at 08:19 PM
All I can say is YUM!
Posted by: Andrea Wren | July 09, 2007 at 10:42 AM