Chocolate, Sweet Chocolate

It is true; chocolate really can be good for you! Consuming chocolate can have health benefits. Chocolate contains flavonoids, naturally occurring substances that provide certain health benefits, especially for the heart.

Raw cocoa contains flavonoids. These substances have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are believed to reduce the number of free radicals in the body that contribute to medical problems, such as heart disease and cancer. Unsweetened cocoa powder contains the most antioxidants, followed by dark chocolate and then milk chocolate.

Chocolate is produced from the beans of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). The beans are harvested, cleaned, dried, roasted and broken down into small pieces known as "nibs." The cocoa nibs are then ground into a thick mixture that contains cocoa butter and cocoa particles. Further processing then separates the cocoa powder from the cocoa butter.

Dark chocolate is made from cocoa, cocoa butter and sugar. Milk chocolate is made from cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, milk and flavoring. Unsweetened chocolate is made from cocoa powder and some refined cocoa butter, but because it is very bitter in taste, it is usually only use for baking.

To get the most health benefits from chocolate, consume it in small quantities, eat better quality chocolates (ones with a higher percent of cocoa) because they are richer in antioxidants. Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate (dark chocolate has less fat and sugar, and higher levels of flavonoids), and choose hot cocoa over eating a chocolate bar.