When made with real cocoa, hot chocolate may come with multiple health benefits. Here's what to know—and what ingredients to avoid—when drinking hot chocolate.

Chocolate makes life sweeter. It’s prized for both its luscious taste, and health benefits for the mind and body. You can bite into it, melt it, drink it or bake with it for a rich delectable treat.

Chocolate’s unique combination of sugar, fat, aroma, and texture makes it a particularly pleasurable experience, but it may also protect blood vessels, genes, and longevity.