Is Chocolate Healthy?

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the uniquely beneficial health properties that might be associated with the consumption of certain types of chocolate.
The paper first reflects briefly on the history of chocolate as something of importance to cultural and culinary history. The paper then looks at the literature on the subject that reveals that cacao and specifically dark chocolate can be a rich source of flavanoids that promote antioxidant health properties. Next, the paper notes the difficulties in ascertaining the extent of the curative properties of chocolate and further notes that a more highly refined and less commercially treated form of chocolate is necessary to realize the positive health factors related to the cacao bean.

From the Paper:

"Chocolate may well be one of the rare consumables that belies the old assumption regarding that which is healthy and that which is enjoyable to eat. The conventional logic suggests that these two qualities rarely intersect. However, the larger body of research concerning the intake of cacao indicates that indeed there are uniquely beneficial health properties that might be associated with the consumption of certain types of chocolate, offering justification for further investigation of claims to the point. Before entering into this assessment, it is important to reflect briefly on the history of chocolate as something of importance to cultural and culinary history."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Coe, S.D. & Coe, M.D. (2000). The True History of Chocolate. Thames and Hudson.
• Ding, E.L.; Hutfless, S.M.; Ding, X. & Girota, S. (2006). Chocolate and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review. Nutrition and Metabolism, 3(2),
• Halliwell, B. (2003). Health benefits of eating chocolate? Nature, 426(6968), 787.
• Hannum, S.M. & Erdman, J.W. (2000). Emerging health benefits from cocoa and chocolate. Journal of Medical Food, 3(2), 73-75.
• Hudnell, J. (2006). The Secret History of Chocolate. World Famous Comics Community. Online at http://www.comicscommunity.com/boards/hudnall/?frames=n;read=985

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