25. Dark Chocolate Thank you, dark chocolate, for giving us a virtually guilt-free dessert! Dark chocolate is filled with flavonoid antioxidants (more than three times the amount in milk chocolate) that keep blood platelets from sticking together and may even unclog your arteries. It may also encourage weight loss by keeping you feeling full, reports a Danish study. Researchers gave 16 participants 100 g of either dark or milk chocolate, then offered them pizza two hours later. Those who consumed the dark chocolate ate 15 per cent fewer kilojoules than those who had milk chocolate did, and they were less interested in fatty, salty and sugary foods. Choose a variety with 70 per cent (or more) cocoa. Two tablespoons of dark-chocolate chips with fresh berries as an afternoon snack or after-dinner dessert should give you some of the heart-healthy benefits without busting your kilojoule budget.

Health 'N More 2010