Note: this piece first appeared in the February 2006 issue of Clark Wellness ForkBytes.
No food is more celebrated, more luxurious, or more mysterious than chocolate. Its rich, deep color and complex, sensual flavor have enchanted men and women for centuries. The latest research on chocolate touts its health benefits, but early cultures were enjoying this amazing superfood long before there were scientists, laboratories, and research grants. A sacred beverage made from toasted cacao was enjoyed by the pre-Columbian Mayans, and some historians and anthropologists believe the Olmecs, an earlier pre-Columbian people, were the first to domesticate the cacao tree.
Pure chocolate contains several beneficial phytochemicals and antioxidants that are preventive for cancer and other diseases. Consuming chocolate stimulates production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which in turn create feelings of happiness, pleasure, and satisfaction. Chocolate is our best source of magnesium, which is important for heart health and beneficial for hormonal support, especially for women. So be sure to get your chocolate every day!
The best way to eat chocolate is in its raw, unadulterated form. Our recipe of the month uses raw cacao and is amazingly delicious! If the raw chocolate is too intense for you, or if you want some other great options, look for organic, high-quality, refined sugar–free dark chocolate. Dairy products, white sugar, and hydrogenated fats can inhibit the absorption of the antioxidants in chocolate, so pure dark chocolate is best. Savor and enjoy!
