Research shows that, unlike men, many women feel guilty about indulging in this potentially “forbidden” food or struggle to eat it at all.

Nutrition experts explain how chocolate can benefit not only your taste buds, but your health as well.

One study found that women who didn’t restrict their sweet tooth had better weight loss success, while those who associated it with guilt were more likely to experience a number of problems, including:

Less success with long-term and short-term weight loss
Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
Unhealthy eating behaviors
Increased body image dissatisfaction
A healthy relationship with all foods is important for your mind and body. But starting or creating a balanced relationship with dark chocolate, in particular, can have a significant positive impact on your overall health.