Research citing the potential health benefits of chocolate has given chocolate lovers everywhere reason to celebrate, but some experts remain skeptical.

Studies have found chocolate contains compounds called antioxidants and flavonoids that prevent heart disease, aging and cancer, according to the article “Chocolate Hearts” in the March 19, 2000, issue of Science News.

People have adored chocolate for centuries, not so much for the health benefits but for its taste.

“Even the Mayan Indians praised the power of chocolate,” said Doug Lewis, associate professor of food science and human nutrition.

However, the studies citing the health benefits of chocolate must be considered with skepticism, he said. “Chocolate, like every other food, has chemicals in it,” Lewis said. “Some of the chemicals found in chocolate can have positive health benefits, but there are other components of chocolate that can have negative impacts on health.”

Chocolate has very small concentrations of the antioxidants and flavonoids that have been shown to be beneficial, Lewis said.

As a result, very large amounts of chocolate would have to be consumed to receive any health advantage, he said. By the time this amount of chocolate is consumed, other compounds like sugar and fat, which can be harmful to health, are “dragged along” with any good substances chocolate contains, Lewis said.

He also said many studies use extracts of cocoa, and not chocolate as a whole. “None of these studies are feeding their participants candy bars,” Lewis said. “You would have to eat a boat-load of chocolate to get the same effects.”

For those who can’t go through a day without indulging in a piece of chocolate, studies supporting chocolate consumption are music to the ears.

Jana Meyer, senior in dietetics, said she eats chocolate “at least five days a week.” She said the potential health benefit is good news because she can “feel good about eating chocolate.”

While Lewis said chocoholics should not start to consume excessive amounts of chocolate in hopes of curing diseases, they should not feel bad about eating an occasional chocolate chip cookie or Hershey’s kiss. “Sometimes you just gotta have it,” Meyer said.