Study: A small dose of chocolate could cut heart attack or stroke risk by almost 40 per cent

The Easter Bunny might lower your chances of having a heart problem. According to a new study, small doses of chocolate every day could decrease your risk of having a heart attack or stroke by nearly 40 per cent.They found people who had an average of six grams of chocolate per day - or about one square of a chocolate bar - had a 39 per cent lower risk of either a heart attack or stroke. The study is scheduled to be published Wednesday in the European Heart Journal.>> more...

Chocolate can do good things for your heart, skin and brain

Preliminary research suggests chocolate may boost your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills.>> more...

Ask the Dietician: Chocolate

Recent evidence suggests that Belgian chocolate - especially dark chocolate - is rich in substances that may actually help fend off heart disease. These substances are known as flavonoids and are not limited to chocolate; flavonoids are also present in onions, grapes, red wine and tea, among other plant-derived foods. It appears that flavonoids have powerful antioxidant effects.>> more...

History of Chocolate

Chocolate (theobroma) is Greek for "food of the gods", and was probably first used by the Olmec people of Mexico around 400 BC.. The Mayans likely began cultivating the cocoa beans around 250 A.D. For the Aztecs, consuming "cacahuatl" was a privilege for the rulers and gods only. Legend has it that Montezuma drank 50 cups of "xocolatl per day, and fathered children until very elderly. According to The Chocolate Bible, cocao was served as a thick concoction, flavored with chilies, cornmeal, achiote and hallucinogenic mushrooms. However, when served to dignitaries and princes they sometimes added aromatic spices, vanilla, aniseed and bees honey. It was also used as a form of currency to barter for goods and services.>> more...