As Eros makes his way to Earth in time for everyone's favorite greeting card holiday, lovers scramble to organize Valentine's Day treats for their sweeties. Cards, flowers, jewelry - just what is the perfect way to say "I love you?"

Well, if you care anything at all for your significant other, then dark chocolate is what you need to be buying, and in bulk, too.

We all know chocolate is the Valentine's standard, and you can pick of a box just about anywhere. From Godiva to Ghirardelli to gas station specials, chocolate is in no short supply.

But the good stuff that's also good for you takes a little more creative ingenuity to find. Wait, chocolate that's good for you? Yep, you read that right.

Studies in the last couple of years have found that eating dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure, boost your blood antioxidant levels and help prevent heart disease. Not bad for a candy bar.

Now it's not just any chocolate that can make these claims. The findings in these studies were specific to dark chocolate, the variety with substantially more cocoa than its milk or white compatriots.

Despite the benefits of dark chocolate, few people rate it as a favorite. European dark chocolate, which is especially rich in cocoa phenols, is often too bitter for the American palate.

But Tim Briedenbacher, owner of the Riverbend at Fingerlakes Mall, which sells a number of different chocolates, says he sees consumers becoming more educated about the health benefits of dark chocolate.

"It's just about 50/50 in terms of what we sell in dark and milk," he said. "But some people have read about dark chocolate and have crossed over because of the health benefits."

Of the 24 different truffles and various assorted chocolates and fudges, 60 percent of what Briedenbacher sells is milk chocolate. He doesn't try to push dark chocolate on the its health merits because he says for people buying chocolate, it's largely about personal preference.

"It's just a matter of taste for most people. They know if it's good for them," said Briedenbacher, whose wife Teri says dark chocolate is her favorite.

Studies conducted by researchers from the University of Glasgow and Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research found that dark chocolate helped raise blood antioxidant levels by nearly 20 percent. Antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage in the heart and arteries similar to the way rust protectant prevents damage to metal.

The studies also concluded that it takes twice the amount of milk chocolate to get the antioxidant effects of dark chocolate. This may mean that dairy products interfere with the healthy properties of other foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, tea and red wine.

In addition to the antioxidant properties, a German medical study suggests that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure, thanks to the plant substance polyphenols found in cocoa beans. Polyphenols are also present in red wine, giving the beverage heart-healthy benefits.

Participants in the University of Cologne study saw their blood pressure drop after two weeks of moderate consumption of dark chocolate (one three-ounce bar every day). Researchers found that the dark chocolate held further promise in helping reduce blood pressure and hypertension.

The Riverbend doesn't carry any dark chocolate that is specifically marketed as "healthy," but Vermont Green Mountain Specialty in Skaneateles sells two different bars that promise better skin and inner balance.

The Innercalm IN.Fused Chocolate bar made by nutraceutical company, Intelligent Nutrients, retails for $6.95 and claims to "promote relaxation and reduce stress."

It contains a number of aromatic organic essential oils including lavender, mandarin, grapefruit, chamomile, orange and sustainably wildcrafted Australian sandalwood, as well as dried blueberries.

The shop also sells Health By Chocolate bars by Ecco Bella that retail for $3.95. These bars, formulated by holistic doctor Phillip Cohen, contain lutein, lycopene and astaxanthin - antioxidants from marigolds, tomatoes and algae - to help protect skin. It's also got cranberry seed oil, a source of omega 3+6+9 essential fatty acids and blueberries which contain antioxidant bioflavinoids.

Claire Milne, a salesperson at the store, says that while these bars are advertised to promote good health, they aren't big sellers.

"They're not a consistent seller. It's mostly an impulse buy," she said. "But a lot of people come in here and buy dark chocolate because they know it's actually good for them."

Milne refers to one customer in particular, an 80-year-old woman who comes in every week to buy her supply of dark chocolate. She buys dark rather than milk chocolate solely for the health benefits, says Milne.

"She's 80 years old, but she looks about 60," she said. "So I guess it's working for her."

Staff writer Lauren Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or lauren.ober@lee.net