The effect of chocolate on health has always been controversial. On the one hand, chocolate contains extra sugar and fats that may not be so good for the body. On the other hand, some kinds of chocolate contain what are known as ‘anti-oxidants’, which are beneficial for the body. So which side wins? A new study sheds some light…

Scientists in Switzerland have now published a study in the Heart Journal looking at the effects of dark chocolate in smokers. They found that:

Dark but not white chocolate induced a rapid and significant improvement … in healthy smokers 2–8 hours after ingestion.

They go on to explain that "these findings are most likely mediated by the antioxidant effect of dark chocolate.".

So… it looks like, at least for the dark variety, chocolate is good for you. Excellent!