On Valentine’s Day, that box of chocolate inevitably appears, accompanied by the guilty sensation we all know and hate.

But is all the guilt still necessary? Not so, according to recent research. The latest findings demonstrate that chocolate may be advantageous to your health, benefiting your heart and even lowering cholesterol levels.

Research done at the University of California-Davis and published in the journal Lancet in 1996 helped discover the presence of phenols in chocolate, a type of antioxidant that may protect the heart. Antioxidants, which are also found in some wine, fruits, and vegetables, inhibit the oxidation of bad-cholesterol, the low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The oxidation of LDL may produce fatty plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Other studies have revealed evidence that chocolate can increase the level of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin levels are often decreased in people with depression or in those experiencing symptoms of PMS. Research has proven that people with low serotonin levels sometimes crave carbohydrate-rich foods or sweeter alternatives like chocolate. In a study published in the journal Pharmacology and Toxicology, researchers showed that the ingestion of carbohydrates or chocolate increased the level of serotonin production in the brain. Therefore, the researchers concluded that patients with PMS and depression may crave these foods to increase their feelings of well-being.