Drink Chocolate Milk

1. Recent research at both Pennsylvania State University and the Southwestern University Medical Center in Dallas show that high levels of milk chocolate consumption do not raise blood cholesterol levels, even though chocolate is high in saturated fats. It seems that the predominant type of saturated fat in chocolate, stearic acid, does not have the same effect on cholesterol levels as other types of saturated fats.

Eat Chocolate Bars

2. Chocolate is loaded with antioxidant polyphenols. These are those same compounds found in red wine, fruits and vegetables that are touted for their heart-healthy and other disease-preventing qualities. Research presented at the American Chemical Society in March 1999 reported that chocolate contained, pound for pound, the highest levels of polyphenols of any food. In fact, a regular chocolate bar contained as much as an eight-ounce glass of red wine, or the same amount as five servings of fruits and vegetables. Cocoa contained the most, followed by dark chocolate and then milk chocolate. What is still not known is whether the polyphenols in chocolate can be absorbed by the body. Those studies are still preliminary and ongoing. Early results in animal studies are looking positive. This could be one science experiment where it may be fun to be the guinea pig.