Chocolateinfoforprogram

History of Chocolate

Christopher Columbus is believed to be the first European to discover chocolate. When Columbus returned to Spain in 1502 from his fourth voyage to the New World, he introduced many treasures to the court of King Ferdinand. Among them were cocoa beans, almond-shaped seeds from the cacao tree that are the source of all the chocolate and cocoa products we enjoy today.

Acne: No Link to Chocolate

Over the past two decades, clinical studies have exonerated chocolate as a cause or exacerbating factor in the development or persistence of acne. In fact, many dermatologists doubt that diet plays any significant role in acne.

Chocolate Nutrition

-Chocoholics may unite in celebration, for the news is good: dark chocolate possesses the highest antioxidant content of any food.

-Chocolates contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and, in milk chocolate, calcium.

-The flavonoids in chocolate work in a similar manner to a very low dose of aspirin to prevent blood platelets from clumping together to form a blood clot. The flavonoids are in the cocoa.

-None are present in white chocolate, and milk chocolate is diluted by sugar and milk. ----Dark, bittersweet chocolate is better, and simple cocoa (with even less fat than unsweetened chocolate) is best.

-Some studies indicate that dark chocolate may decrease blood pressure and insulin resistance. These are not conclusive studies and have been done only on healthy subjects, but the indications are positive.

Chocolate causes cavities??? (myth)

Your dentist will have to find another scapegoat; this is not true. In fact, there is speculation that the cocoa butter in chocolate coats the teeth and prevents plaque from forming. The sugar in chocolate is a contributor to dental cavities, but so is the sugar in any other food. Additionally, chocolate melts quickly in your mouth, so it doesn't leave a long-lasting residue as do some sticky candies, like taffy.