Some research studies pay off in big dividends. Take the Swiss research study on the benefits of dark chocolate on the human heart. They found that eating dark chocolate, with a cocoa content of 74%, significantly improves blood flow. Dark chocolate contains more anti-oxidants than red wine, green tea, or fruit.

The downside of eating chocolate is that it also contains fat. You will not get the same health benefits from either milk chocolate or white chocolate--both contain too much fat and not enough cocoa to be effective (white chocolate doesn't contain one bit of chocolate). You can forget that instant cocoa you buy at your local grocery store too.

For those who love dark chocolate, you can savor and indulge in your chocolate passion while knowing that you're doing something positive for your body. For milk chocolate lovers like me, we'll have to find our anti-oxidants elsewhere.

To get the most health benefits out of your dark chocolate, remember to exercise regularly to balance out the fat and calories. Below is a recipe for dark chocolate brownies that all lovers of chocolate can appreciate.

Dark Chocolate Brownies

4 oz. premium dark chocolate
1 stick butter
2/3 cup cake flower
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt chocolate and butter over a double boiler.

In a bowl, combine cake flour, baking powder, and salt; mix well.

When chocolate mixture is smooth, take off heat and add sugar; mix with a wire whisk.
Whisk in eggs. Fold into flour mixture until loosely combined.

Pour mixture into an 8-inch brownie pan (you can also use mini muffin molds).
Bake 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.