OMG! What is it about chocolate that makes it so addicting? Can you remember the last time you said “No” when someone offered you chocolate? Chances are, you can’t.

Don’t worry: we’re all in the same chocolate-loving boat. Thankfully, it turns out chocolate is actually good for you, and saying “Yes” to your craving can improve your health in a number of ways:

Improve your heart health. In one Swedish study, just 45 grams of chocolate per week reduced the stroke risk of women by 20%! Other studies have found that chocolate can lower your blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and fight high cholesterol. It’s all thanks to the antioxidants in dark chocolate, which act as anti-inflammatory agents to reduce oxidative stress on your cardiovascular system. Chocolate is DEFINITELY heart smart!

Prevent diabetes. You’d think that eating all the sugary chocolates had a hand in the diabetes risk in the first place, but that’s not the case with dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is an anti-diabetic food, as it increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. By increasing insulin sensitivity, you enable your body to control high blood sugar more effectively.

Fight sugar cravings. Say what? A sugar-rich food like chocolate stops you from eating chocolate? Tell me more! Well, dark and bittersweet chocolate have chemicals that satiate your body’s desire for sweet foods. It can reduce your body’s cravings, and the high fiber content of natural chocolate will fill you up.

Increase cognitive function. Chocolate may not make you the next Einstein, but one study found that the flavonols will increase blood flow to your brain and enhance cognitive function.

Protect your skin. Did you know that the antioxidants in chocolate can help to reduce UV damage to your skin? The flavonoids found in dark, bittersweet chocolate can decrease scaling, skin roughness, and UV damage, and it even improves blood flow to your subcutaneous tissue. For healthier skin, eat more chocolate.

Make you happy. Chocolate is both a stress-reliever and a mood-booster. Not only will it combat anxiety and stress, but it can trigger the release of “feel good” chemicals that encourage happier feelings. The tryptophan in chocolate will produce serotonin, which will decrease depression risk.

Bertha Mae’s brownies and cookies are made with only the best quality minimally-processed chocolate. That means we preserve the antioxidants and flavonoids in the chocolate that provide the above-mentioned health benefits. Best of all, our treats are absolutely delicious, and the perfect way to say “Yes” to those chocolate cravings.