Scientists Find That Dark Chocolate is Healthier Than Fruits

US researchers have found dark chocolate to be healthier than fruit. Chocoholics have all the reason to be happy as chocolate is being stated as the latest 'super food'. When scientists from the Hershey Centre for Health and Nutrition compared cocoa powder with powders made from fruits like acai berries, blueberries, cranberries and pomegranates they found that cocoa contained more healthy plant compounds and antioxidants. These nutritional benefits are more than the experts had previously thought of. Dark chocolates containing 60% cocoa and cocoa drinks contain more antioxidant activity and flavanols. However hot chocolate is devoid of these properties. Senior member of the research team, Debra Miller said, "The compounds in dark chocolate are just as good as the botanical compounds in fruit. Cacao seeds should be considered a 'super fruit' and products derived from cacao seed extracts, such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as 'super foods'."

However these findings do not change the fact chocolate has a high sugar and fat content. Dieticians recommend a balanced intake of dark chocolate.

Source-Medindia