Abstract
For years, chocolate has been looked down upon as unhealthy, deemed a candy, slapped with myths and fallacies and prohibited from small children. This paper attempts to prove otherwise by showing how chocolate has been shown to lift depression, help your heart and aid alertness among other benefits and if used properly, chocolate can be a delicacy and a medicine. It examines all aspects of chocolate possible from its production from the cocoa bean, to physiological effects on the brain and body to side effects such as obesity and dental problems.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
A Brief Review of Cocoa
The Cacao Tree (Theobrom Cacao)
What is in the Cocoa Bean?
Making and Eating Chocolate
State of the Art of Cocoa
Is Cocoa Good for You?
Burden of Proof
Chocolate as a Fat
Effects on Blood Lipids
What is OK?
Chocolate, Health and Disease
Chocolate Craving
Migraine
Toxicity
Immune Function
Allergy
Other Disorders
Behavior
Antioxidants
Caffeine
Dental Caries
Migraines
Obesity
Serum Cholesterol
Heart Health
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Cocoa takes it a step further though. Not only does it provide energy for our actions. It supplies chemicals for our personalities and moods. Modern psychology leads us to believe that every thought, every idea that pops into our head is simultaneously a biological reaction. This biological reaction takes the form of chemical processes within our brains. Our mind then interprets these chemical compounds as thoughts, ideas, smells, tastes, touch, etc. Our thoughts, or chemicals compounds within our brain can determine how we feel, our motivation, our goals, our entire lives hinge upon our thoughts, for what are we but what we do. And before we do anything, we must think it. We must have considered it at some point or been subconsciously predisposed to an action or idea."

Tags:cacao, tree, cocoa, bean, fat, migraine, toxicity, craving, health, disease

Abstract
This paper reviews various peer-reviewed academic and professional literature relating to chocolate in Mayan and Aztec society. It looks at how chocolate or 'cacao' was used by both the Mayan and Aztec cultures for various purposes including as a base of drink mixtures for consumption generally by the elite in society and as well was consumed on special occasions such as engagement and wedding ceremonies. It also examines how at one time chocolate was a form of currency in trade and bartering among peoples and nations.

Outline:
Introduction
The Origin of Chocolate
The Uses of Chocolate
Chocolate and Societal Status
The Science of Chocolate
Chocolate: Trade
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"Chocolate was additionally a food consumed during ceremonies celebrating engagements and marriages. Visiting dignitaries were given gifts of chocolate as well. Chocolate is stated by Norton to have been "associated with a lifesource, originating from or strengthened by its blood red coloring achieved by adding achiote." (2004; 3) Norton states that chocolate not only played a central role in Mayan and Aztec cultures as the basis for a drink of status but also was additionally "embedded in a range of social, diplomatic, and religious rituals." (2004; 3) Norton relates that the Europeans first encountered chocolate during the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1502."

Tags:cacao, status, trade

Abstract
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."

Tags:polyphenols, antioxidants, cocoa

Abstract
This paper reviews the origin of the word 'chocolate' and the history of chocolate as we know it today. According to this paper, the Maya and Aztec considered chocolate to be a drink reserved for royal and religious events, and priests even presented cacao seeds as offerings to the Gods.

From the Paper
"The Aztecs associated chocolate with Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility, while in the New World, chocolate was consumed in a bitter and spicy drink called xocoatl, which was usually seasoned with vanilla, chili pepper, achiote, known today as annatto, and pimento, and was used as a remedy for fatigue, probably due to the theobromine content (Chocolate). Throughout Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, chocolate was an important luxury and the beans were often used as currency (Chocolate). Other beverages unique to this era, combined chocolate with such edibles as maize gruel and honey (Chocolate). It is said that xocoatl was an acquired taste, and one Spanish Jesuit missionary wrote during the late sixteenth century:
"...having a scum or froth that is very unpleasant to taste. Yet it
is a drink very much esteemed among the Indians, where with they
feast noble men who pass through their country. The Spaniards,
both men and women...are very greedy of this Chocolate...they make
diverse sorts of it, some hot, some cold, and some temperate, and put
therein much of that chili" (Chocolate)."

Tags:cocoa, beans, Rodophe, Lindt, liquor, roasted, nibs

Abstract
One of the most seductive and pleasurable foods enjoyed everywhere in the world is chocolate. Chocolate is a slightly psychoactive substance but it has some health benefits when consumed in its purest forms and in moderation. This paper looks at its roots from its discovery by the Aztecs. It examines how its official categories of chocolate vary between Europe and North America and also discusses different types.

From the Paper
"Produced from the fermented and roasted seeds of the tropical plant cacao, chocolate caught on quickly in Europe during colonization. To produce edible chocolate, either for beverage or confectionary use, the pods of the cacao plant are fermented and their beans dried, then roasted and ground. The resulting material is pressed to separate the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids. The term cocoa liquor refers to the unadulterated chocolate, containing both cocoa solids and cocoa fats. The higher the concentration of cocoa liquor, the higher quality and more expensive is the resulting chocolate product. However, all commercially sold chocolates contain a blend of cocoa butter and cocoa liquor, with other ingredients added for flavor and texture."

Tags:cacao, cocoa, butter