This story is sponsored by Fav Chocolate. Learn more about Fav Chocolate.

When you think of supplements, you may think of tasteless pills you have to choke down with water, while not even being sure if they actually do anything to help your health.

Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case. As you research supplements to boost your diet and improve your health, consider ones that are both proven to work and taste delicious. The following supplements are not only appetizing, they offer health benefits you can count on.

Peppermint

Whether you use mint leaves or essential oils, peppermint helps manage several ailments.

“Peppermint is used as a dietary supplement for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other digestive problems, the common cold, headaches, and other conditions,” according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. “Peppermint oil is also used topically (applied to the skin) for headache, muscle aches, itching, and other problems.”

In fact, several studies have shown that peppermint oil capsules could improve IBS symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Chocolate

You read that right: Chocolate is an excellent health supplement. This is not your average cheap bar of chocolate from the grocery store, though. Only chocolate specifically designed to offer a health boost will give you the benefits you need.

For example, the right chocolate can support brain health, cell protection and heart health, as cocoa beans are high in polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants

“Cocoa beans themselves have been shown to be one of the greatest suppliers of polyphenols in our diets,” according to Fāv Chocolate. “These antioxidants remain in cocoa butter even after it’s separated from the beans’ solids. That means it’s beneficial for improving the immune response, lowering inflammation and improving heart health.”

Omega-3

There’s nothing fishy about this supplement, especially if you want to add something yummy to the food you eat. If certain types of fish make it to the dinner table a couple times a week, they may help prevent one of the No. 1 killers in the country.

“Fish intake has been associated with decreased risk of heart disease,” according to the American Heart Association. “On the basis of available data, the American Heart Association recommends that patients without documented heart disease eat a variety of fish – preferably omega-3-containing fish – at least twice a week. Examples of these types of fish include salmon, herring and trout.”

Grapeseed extract

You may have used grapeseed oil to help you cook healthy, and now you can use the extract to help you improve your overall health. It was developed in the 1970s but has been around a lot longer.

“Since ancient Greece people have used grapes, grape leaves, and sap for health purposes,” according to the National Institutes of Health.

Grape seed extract can reduce inflammation, promote wound healing and help with venous insufficiency – when veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart.

Honey

Honey may be one of the sweetest types of supplements available, but not just any honey will do.

“High-quality honey contains many important antioxidants,” according to Healthline. “These include organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. … Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer. They may also promote eye health.”

As with any supplement, you can ask your doctor for advice about what will work with other medications you use. Some supplements, such as the healthy – and yummy – chocolate from Fāv Chocolate may be better for you and offer more benefits than others.

This story is sponsored by Fav Chocolate. Learn more about Fav Chocolate.

Gift-giving can be one of the most fulfilling parts of the holiday season, especially when you’ve got a knack for that type of thing. It’s all fun and games until you realize that someone on your list that doesn’t have the typical gift preferences.

Many holiday gifts promote excess and/or indulgence so it can be difficult if you are trying to buy gifts for someone who is health conscious by necessity or choice. But the good news is that there are solutions to help you impress that green and healthy friend or loved one, but you may have to think outside the box to be successful.

Here are 10 gifts to give a health-conscious person in your life:

Healthy chocolate supplements

Treats and candy can be the Achilles' heel for many trying to stay healthy around the holidays, but luckily you can check all the boxes when it comes to this gift: healthy chocolate that offers vitamins, minerals and supplements you need in the form of a delicious treat.

Fāv Chocolate offers a healthful treat with the power of Cocotrienol™ a patent-pending formula of unique ingredients that offer a variety of health benefits. But you don’t have to be a health nut to enjoy this treat. To learn more, visit www.fav-chocolate.com.

Healthy food keepers

Those who eat healthy know all too well the difficulty of keeping fresh produce fresh. True, one could go to the market twice a week and always have fresh fruits and veggies on hand, but that takes a lot of time, not to mention money. To help your nutritious friend or family member keep all their healthy finds at peak condition, gift them some super special food-saving plastic storage containers designed to optimize produce freshness.

Fresh herbs and sprouts

Those who enjoy cooking or creating green salads in the comfort of their home will enjoy having a countertop herb garden to draw from for year-round fresh herbs. Or if you want to opt for something a little more budget friendly, you can always get them something like this sprouting kit on Amazon to help them create a variety of small-greens for their salads at a fraction of the repeated-visits-to-the-grocery-store cost.

Aromatherapy

Whether your loved one prefers holistic solutions to western medicine, there’s no denying the value of aromatherapy on wellness. So splurge by getting them an aromatherapy kit complete with lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, sweet orange and lavender. If you really want to treat them right, get them a high-end oil diffuser as well.

Muscular relaxation

For all the gym rats in your life, there’s always a massage chair or spa gift card to help their aching muscles relax and heal. But if you’re in search of a more budget-friendly gift option, just get them a handy foam roller to ease out the muscle soreness they likely deal with on a regular basis. That way they can get ripped while also treating themselves, too.

Handy hydration

Those who are health-conscious and fitness gurus always have a handy bottle of water or replenishing liquid nearby. But no matter how many fancy water bottles your gift recipient already has, they can always benefit from some more with flashy modern features. Take this blender bottle that comes with snack compartments or and on-the-go tea tumbler. They’ll appreciate the thought you put into making their active life easier.

Easier winter hiking

Winters can be a harsh time for the active outdoorsy-types, but don’t let them resign themselves to the treadmill just yet; where there’s a will, there’s a way, and these Yaktrax hiking aides allow for year-round hiking. Snow or no, there’s no stopping your friend from braving the icy trails with these trusty hiking shoe additions in their arsenals.

Zoodles made easy

If you haven’t heard of pasta spiralizers, get ready for a wake-up call. While pasta is fairly cheap and easy to prepare and consume, it certainly does no wonders for one’s figure. Your health guru friend likely knows this, and would be thrilled to receive this trusty spiralizer that turns vegetables into noodle form. Chances are they would love to add it to their kitchens full of health-centered gadgets. This season, give the gift of pasta for all, without the guilt.

Beats in the pool

Everyone knows that a tough workout can be made easier with the right music at your disposal. But how do swimmers harness the power of music and use it to their advantage? In this age of technology, there are solutions: waterproof headphones and MP3 players for optimal underwater listening. Find one that fits your friend’s preferences, and then sit back as you are praised for your genius gift.

9. A Blender that goes the distance

Just like healthful people know the value of endurance in a workout, they also prefer it in their kitchen appliances. Holiday deals will help you afford a Blendtec blender for your health-conscious loved ones so they can continue enjoying smoothies with ease.

From healthy chocolate to a gadget that turns squash into pasta-like noodles, there is probably something on this list to please your health-focused loved one.

This story is sponsored by Fav Chocolate. Learn more about Fav Chocolate.

During the holiday season (and the rest of the year), chocolate is highly prized as a delectable treat. Historically, however, it was highly desired for its healthful properties.

“For several centuries in pre-modern Latin America, cacao beans were considered valuable enough to use as currency,” wrote Amanda Fiegl for Smithsonian.com. And she reports that anthropologists at the University of Pennsylvania say chocolate was consumed as a beverage as far back as 1400 B.C.

Here are six reasons to indulge in healthy chocolate the next time you’re craving sweets.

Chocolate may help lower cholesterol

Today, chocolate is often seen as a high-calorie treat that will lead to undesired weight gain. While it's often prepared with plenty of sugar and fat, dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder have been shown to have cholesterol-lowering capabilities. In a recent study featured in Reuters Health, scientists found that when subjects consumed dark chocolate and cocoa powder along with almonds, their cholesterol levels dropped.

“Combining almonds with dark chocolate and cocoa also reduced small, dense LDL particles that are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” Reuters said researchers reported in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Dark chocolate has improved insulin sensitivity

Most people with diabetes limit chocolate because of the sugar that usually goes with it. However, in certain forms, chocolate can actually aid those with diabetes, because of its flavanol content. Dark chocolate typically has twice as many flavanols as milk chocolate, so it’s obvious which one provides the greater benefit, such as increased circulation and lower blood pressure.

“Flavanols in chocolate can [also] increase insulin sensitivity in short-term studies; in the long run this could reduce risk of diabetes,” according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Dark chocolate labeled as having 70 percent (or higher) cocoa solids is the best choice to receive the benefits of flavanols.

Chocolate is rich in necessary nutrients

Chocolate in any form has the following nutrients often touted in superfoods, according to Healthline:

• Iron

Magnesium

Copper

Manganese

Potassium

Phosphorus

Zinc

Selenium.

As nutritionists attest, vitamins and minerals are vital to human health and wellness; thus, consuming foods that are nutrient-rich is best. Chocolate can be one small part of a nutrient-rich diet that provides your body with everything it needs to flourish.

Chocolate can aid digestion

In addition to being dense in nutrients, dark chocolate is high in soluble fiber. You don’t need to be a scientist to know that soluble fiber in your diet is a good thing. However, consuming chocolate for this sole purpose isn’t recommended; instead, stick with plenty of fresh fruit and whole grains, and indulge in some dark chocolate now and then as a supplement. To get an idea of how much fiber chocolate contains, a 100-gram bar of chocolate has 11 grams of fiber. That’s a lot of chocolate for one sitting, so consume in smaller amounts.

Chocolate helps reduce stress

In addition to lowering blood pressure and improving overall blood flow, chocolate can increase blood flow to certain parts of the brain, which in turn can improve cognitive function. If your mind is feeling overwhelmed, increasing blood flow to the brain is always a good thing, especially as you seek to reduce stress. The stress response is also regulated by certain chemicals, such as serotonin, Nutritious Life said.

Even immune health can be aided by serotonin in the gut from chocolate consumption, according to Psych Central.

Try taking a break from work to eat a small piece of dark chocolate; savoring a bite or two along with going through a mindfulness exercise or taking just a minute to yourself can work wonders for the tightly wound.

Chocolate can improve your mood

There’s a reason chocolate is a common post-breakup food. Mood improves due to a variety of factors, but chocolate can definitely play a role in helping you get over a broken heart (or, conversely, can be tied to falling in love). The release of serotonin combined with the benefits of a food rich in antioxidants will give a mood boost to anyone. Magnesium, one of those important minerals found in chocolate, is also a proven anxiety reducer. Just make sure you’re not bingeing on candy; one ounce is generally a recommended amount, according to PsychCentral.

All these benefits come from higher-quality dark chocolate, so it’s important to satisfy your chocolate craving using the right sources. Fāv Chocolate started in the search for better health and in the process discovered a great tasting chocolate. It not only tastes great, but Fāv Chocolate is actually the healthiest chocolate. Fāv Chocolate’s is a patent-pending unique combination of ingredients that make this one-a-day chocolate a must for your healthy lifestyle. Learn more about health-boosting chocolate at Fāv Chocolate today.