Long before Willy Wonka and his Oompa-Loompas made good business out of chocolates, the Mayans and Aztecs have already been producing them for religious rituals some 4000 years ago. Revered as food of the gods, cacao pods have long been used as a symbol of life and fertility.
Now, chocolates pretty much run the gamut – from being made into Lithuania’s Chocolate Room to a more ambitious chocolate-fueled car from Warwick.
SEE ALSO: Is Candy the Real Enemy?
A recent research from the Chemistry Central Journal reveals that chocolates are a rich source of antioxidants and contain more polyphenols and flavanols than fruit juice. Antioxidants protect our bodies from the free radicals (harmful molecules) we are exposed to every day of our lives. Flavanols are said to boost brain performance and improve the health of blood vessels for patients with heart diseases.
We should all keep in mind that the key to great health is moderation.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says there’s no need to fear chocolate milk. It is highly nutritious, and parents are more likely to succeed in convincing their children to drink chocolate milk over plain milk.
Studies have shown that a number of elements found in chocolate milk (casein, calcium, etc.) are less likely to contribute to dental cavities (tooth decay) than sucrose alone or other snacks.
This is absolutely something we can all smile about. But before we all jump to the chocolate–flavored bandwagon, we should all keep in mind that the key to great health is moderation.
