Dark Chocolate
Why you should eat it:
Eating dark chocolate can lower your risk of developing heart failure. And when you buy dark chocolate, make sure to choose the dark chocolate that contains 74% or more cocoa solids.
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The details: Dozens of studies have shown that people who consume cocoa are in better cardiovascular shape than those who don’t. A nine-year study in the journal Circulation Heart Failure found that women who ate one to two servings of high-quality chocolate per week had a 32% lower risk of developing heart failure. Cocoa’s health benefits are attributed to its high concentrations of polyphenols and flavanols, the anti-inflammatory compounds that protect the heart.