It turns out eating chocolate every day is actually good for your brain according to science

If you need an excuse to open that block of chocolate tonight, look no further!

While it has long been believed chocolate isn't the healthiest option when it comes to snacking, a new study from the University of L’Aquila in Italy is proving that theory wrong.

The researchers found that regularly consuming cacao-based sweets are good for your brain!

Thanks to the flavonoids found in chocolate, it can:

• Help protect your brain from cognitive decline

• Helps improve focus

• Improves processing speed

• Improves verbal fluency

• Improves working memory

Valentina Socci and Michele Ferrara, the authors of the study, explained: "Regular intake of cocoa and chocolate could indeed provide beneficial effects on cognitive functioning over time."

It was also noted that elderly persons who are at risk of a decline in memory best benefit from regularly eating chocolate.

Much like how the flavonoids in tea can help you live longer, the particular flavonoids in chocolate can aid in boosting blood flow to sections of your brain most affected by the aging process and also helps maintain a cardiovascular system that is healthy.

But, of course, it's all about moderation and choosing chocolate that isn’t heavily processed.

So go ahead and indulge in some dark chocolate, daily!