New research has stated, for maintaining a healthy heart, having a bite sized piece of dark chocolate is better than fruit juice.

The study was conducted by the Hershey Co. and it was seen that as compared to fruit juice, dark chocolate and cocoa have more anti-oxidant capacity.

But hot cocoa mix can not be taken as dark chocolate can because it is processed but it is a known fact that more heart-healthy flavanols and polyphenol are present in cocoa.

Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, said, "When looking for a sweet snack, a square of dark chocolate might, in fact, be your healthiest choice."

She said that the findings did not come to her as a surprise as arteries remain healthy with anti-oxidants as they fight free radicals.

There was a comparison made between fruit juices and powders and cocoa powders as well as other chocolate products. It was seen that even pomegranate, cranberry and blueberry extracts also did not have enough anti- oxidants as cocoa had.

It was stated that cocoa seeds can be called super food and extracts from cocoa also can be considered alike.