Some say eating chocolate feels like being in love, so it’s no wonder it has become one of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts! If you’re lucky enough to receive a gift of chocolate, you can enjoy it guilt-free. Why? Studies have shown that just one ounce of dark chocolate a day can actually be beneficial to your health—so feel free to splurge now and then!

Dark chocolate that’s rich in cocoa provides healthful antioxidant flavonoids—up to twice as many as found in red wine and other types of chocolate. Studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids have a reduced risk of heart disease, lung cancer, asthma and type 2 diabetes. Eating dark chocolate may even contribute to lower oxidation levels of bad cholesterol, higher blood antioxidant levels and slightly higher levels of good cholesterol.

Not to ruin this good news, but this isn’t an excuse to overindulge on chocolate or to substitute chocolate for healthful foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. We know it’s tempting to have more than one piece, but when eating chocolate be sure to take into account the calories and fat it contains (as much as 11 grams of fat per ounce). Talk to your doctor if you have any health concerns.