Is chocolate healthier than fruit?
14 February 2011 – New research published in the Chemistry Central Journal claims that chocolate contains more polyphenols and flavanols than fruit juice.
When researchers at the Hershey Center for Health & Nutrition compared antioxidants in dark chocolate to those in fruit juice powder (containing pomegranate, blueberry and cranberry), they found that dark chocolate and cocoa beans have a greater antioxidant capacity, and a greater total flavanol content. In the study, cocoa products beat blueberry and cranberry powder on the antioxidant scale. Cocoa powder, however, fell short of pomegranate juice.
The research also shows that dark chocolate, containing about 60% cocoa, has even more antioxidants than fruit itself.
The findings do not include milk chocolates or processed hot chocolate mixes, and are purely based on a comparison between the powders.
The health benefits happen to be immense as they help in the repair of healthy cells, strengthening of arteries and also prevent the chances of people developing cardiac ailments
This theory is supported by other studies which have shown that antioxidant-rich chocolate may decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.
However it is important to note that experts advise that the flavonoid antioxidants in dark chocolate are so powerful that a tiny piece will suffice. You don’t need to eat the whole bar. Dark chocolate is still relatively high in fats and sugars, and should be eaten in moderation.
Researchers who conducted the study believe that cacao seeds should be considered a ‘superfruit’ and products derived from cacao seed extracts, such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as ‘superfoods.’
