Dark Chocolate with Olive Oil: Heart-Healthy and Delicious

NBC medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar spoke on TODAY to discuss the heart-healthy effects of extra-virgin olive oil. A new study shows that dark chocolate enriched with extra virgin olive oil is associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile.

The study followed two groups' chocolate intake. One group consumed dark chocolate infused with extra virgin olive oil, while the other's chocolate was enriched with a red apple indigenous to Italy. The apple contains antioxidants, as does extra virgin olive oil. The results showed that the chocolate with olive oil reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease more than the apple did. 

While you can't go out and buy dark chocolate with extra virgin olive oil in it at your local supermarket, you can add this olive oil chocolate to your diet by drizzling the extra virgin olive oil on top. It may sound like a strange combination, but Dr. Natalie Azar goes so far as to say,  “What we recommend doing is have a little piece of dark chocolate… put extra virgin olive oil on everything.” She adds that you can cook with olive oil as well.

Here are some recipes to help you combine chocolate and olive oil:

• Chocolate Olive Oil Glaze
• Olive Oil Brownies
• Nutella and Olive Oil
• Chocolate Torte with Olive Oil

And here are some links to buy chocolate infused olive oil:

• Dark Chocolate Infused with Olive Oil
• Olive Oil Chocolate Bar
• Extra Virgin Chocolate