and then there are those that ascend into the realm of obsession. Chocolate, the sweetened and processed form of cacao tree fruit, is one such ethereal substance. Savored, craved, given as a token of love—surely chocolate is more akin to a delirious dream than a mere food.
Sugar tames cocoa's natural astringency and bitterness, turning it rich and mellow. But that association has also lent chocolate a reputation as a naughty indulgence.
Fortunately, recent research pinpoints cocoa's healthy properties. It's a natural source of flavonoids similar to those found in tea, and it contains substances that help prevent blood clots and coronary plaque. Chocolate also seems to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels (Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2004, vol. 37, no. 9) and contains amounts of antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, protein, phosphorus, calcium, and iron.
But let's be honest—we eat chocolate because it's unbelievably delicious.
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