Chocoholics Rejoice! Science Proves Chocolate Is A Source of Vitamin D! (Video)

As if chocolate lovers ever need a reason to enjoy the sweet deliciousness that is chocolate, new research suggests that cocoa and dark chocolate contain surprising amounts of vitamin D2, a vitamin that can help fight the winter blues (among other health benefits). Researchers at the Martin Luther University (MLU) Halle-Wittenberg and the Max Rubner-Institut published their findings in the journal Food Chemistry. They found that chocolate in many of its delectable forms has significant amounts of vitamin D2, which is good news for people who like chocolate because, the researchers say, the human body needs vitamin D for strong bones and decreased risk of respiratory diseases.

According to Medical News Today, vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin”because it’s produced by the body’s exposure to sunshine, but it can also be obtained through foods or supplements. Besides helping keep our bones healthy, says Medical News Today, vitamin D also supports our immune systems, regulates our insulin levels, and supports our cardiovascular health. Long winter days with less sunlight can decrease a person’s vitamin D levels, causing seasonal effective disorder (SAD) or the winter blues, according to the Mayo Clinic.