Chocolate for Men

Chocolate is the classic Valentine's Day gift for men to give to women. Women even give chocolate to one another in recognition of this sweet holiday. Women don't give chocolate to men in the same numbers -- but they should.

Turns out, chocolate is particularly good for men's health. A 15-year study of men's health found that men who ate chocolate were half as likely to die from cardiovascular disease as those who did not. The men who ate the most chocolate, in any form, had a lower death rate over the course of the study from all causes.

This was true even when researchers controlled for such variables as weight, alcohol use, smoking, and physical activity.

 

Does that chocolate gift seem too feminine? You can look for Yorkie bars -- "not for girls" is clearly emblazoned on the wrapper. These aren't sold in the U.S. We say a man should be secure enough in his masculinity to accept chocolate happily on Valentine's Day. After all, it staves off death. Can't beat that.