Chocolate. We love it, but most of us aren't sure about what it does and doesn't do for us. Is it good for you or bad for you? Does it really put you in the mood for some loving? Does it really hurt your skin? Can it really save your heart?

Here's how to better use (and of course, eat) chocolate to enhance your health...

The Good: Eat chocolate for your heart.

High cholesterol is a big contributor to heart disease—the number one killer of women. A low-cholesterol diet tends to limit eggs, meat, cheese, but chocolate should stay on that list of heart-healthy foods. A study found that substances derived from antioxidant-rich cocoa powder may contribute to a reduction in LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and an elevation in HDL cholesterol (the good kind).

The Bad: Just a little is all you really need.

One study found that as few as 30 calories of flavanol-rich dark chocolate lowered blood pressure. Enjoy a couple of individually wrapped squares of your favorite chocolate to keep the calories in check.

The Beautiful: Chocolate can help make your skin softer and smoother.

The antioxidants and cocoa butter in chocolate help moisturize and promote healthy skin-cell development, keeping skin soft and supple, says Mira Goldin, whose New York City spa, Body by Brooklyn, offers a 90-minute chocolate massage that uses melted dark chocolate mixed with massage oil. Many beauty brands offer chocolate products if you’re looking for a DIY spa treatment.

The Good: Chocolate does not cause cavities.

In fact, chocolate may actually help prevent cavities and plaque build-up on the teeth, according to researchers. 

For more tips on healthy eating, visit BlackDoctor.org.

We go beyond the music and entertainment world to bring you important medical information and health-related tips of special relevance to Blacks in the U.S. and around the world.

(Photo:  Graeme Worsfold / Flickr / Getty Images)