10 Times Serving Size Matters Most

Before you pour a glass of wine with dinner every night, you might want to take a closer look at the science behind the heart-healthy sales pitch. Red wine—among other things—has earned a reputation as an antioxidant powerhouse that can help ward of disease and signs of aging. While studies show this is true, do you know exactly how much wine test subjects were sipping? And more importantly, will you completely cancel out the benefits if you go overboard?

Use this quick guide to learn the perfect portion size to reap the most rewards of your favorite good-for-you foods and drinks. 

1. Dark Chocolate

Thanks to the nutrients in cocoa beans, pure dark chocolate is full of natural antioxidants. But that certainly doesn’t mean you can enjoy as much of this sweet treat as you’d like!

“Snap off a one-inch square for yourself to enjoy each night after dinner,” says Amie Valpone, author of The Healthy Apple blog and publisher of online gluten-free magazine Easy Eats. “Too much may constipate you and leave you wired before bedtime. Also, try unsweetened chocolate so you don’t have sugar highs and lows.”

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