Not that we needed a reason to eat more chocolate, but we are overjoyed by yet another research study showing the health benefits of eating our favorite treat.
Read on for details and a chance to win a year's supply of your favorite chocolate treat (up to $100 value)!
Dark chocolate gets the most positive press. Scientists previously praised it for its high antioxidants, its potential to lower blood pressure and its ability to improve several risk factors for disease.
But then last June, it was reported by the jounal Heart that milk chocolate has benefits too. Eating up to 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of either type of chocolate daily is linked with lowered risks of heart disease and stroke. If you could believe it, that amount of chocolate is equal to about 22 Hershey's Kisses!
And now, a study published in the journal Appetite finds that those who consume dark, milk or even white chocolate had better cognitive functions involving memory and the ability to focus. For this study, participants only had to eat chocolate once a week, but who could limit it to just that amount?
But before you finish that family-size bag of M&Ms, researchers do warn that the key is to consume chocolate in moderation. A small intake of chocolate once or twice weekly is probably best.
Ready to eat some chocolate? Tell us in the comments below what your favorite chocolate treat is (i.e, Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Godiva) and you will be entered to win a year's supply of it (up to $100 value)!
There are two ways to enter:
Simply comment below to tell us your favorite chocolate treat!
AND/OR
Tweet about the giveaway!
Click here to Tweet: "I entered a #ChocolateGiveaway to win my favorite treat, thx to @SheSpeaksUp! bit.ly/1TKNm4e"
*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive up to $100 worth of the chocolate they pick, provided the choice is available to purchase online. Giveaway is open through March 13th, 2016 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: The winner is SheSpeaks member smase24! Thanks to all for entering and congrats to her!
Dark chocolate. I don't care in what form, I like it all.
I love the Ghiradelli Squares- especially the ones filled with caramel!
Dove chocolate is my favorite! They have so many different kinds!
Dove Milk Chocolate pieces are ideal since they are reasonably priced but such better quality than a lot of the other mass-market chocolate for sale.
I love M&M's , they are great in my trail mix!
I'm a chocoholic. Anything chocolate for me.
I love peanut M&M's!
I love Dove Chocolate, milk chocolate in any form. The eggs at Easter, or the bunnies. The hearts at Valentines Day or just the flat disks.
Valrhona hot chocolate or moelleux
ferrero rocher
I love Hershey's Kisses!
I love chocolate covered cherries
Cadbury eggs
I love a Heath bar!
I love Take 5 candy bars. Lindt truffles are awesome too, so is Dove, ohhh too many choices!