Chocolate Q&A


Here's a response from Dr. Steve Warren to a question of nutritional content of healthy dark chocolate. You can find more research and history on chocolate at his site, www.mydrchocolate.com.

A couple of friends of mine told me about this healthy dark chocolate that is not only rich in nutrients and antioxidants, it is also diabetic friendly and helps contribute to healthy weight control. Being a chocolate lover, I had to check it out for myself and when I found out I could eat this healthy chocolate that is actually good for my teeth and good for my heart, I nearly flipped out. I went to the site and ordered my monthly stash.

Take a tour of My Passion 4 Chocolate, tr.im/mypassion4chocolate...Keep in mind the product listings are RETAIL and NOT WHOLESALE. I'll be hosting a FREE Chocolate Tasting next month. Contact me to find out more:

Q: What vitamins and minerals are in healthy chocolate?
A: Actual percentages change from batch to batch. There is some literature which outlines the main nutrients found in the components of healthy chocolate:

Raw cocoa contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine (vit B1), riboflavin (vit B2), niacin, nicotinamide (vit B3), pantothenic acid (vit B5), pyridoxine (vit B6), ascorbic acid (vit C), magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and vitamin E.

RIBOFLAVIN
It is a vitamin helps with energy production. It is what makes your urine very yellow.

PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
It is a form of vitamin B6. It is a very important vitamin in more than 100 body reactions. It is important in protein metabolism, red blood cell formation, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, neurotransmitter formation, hormone production, and immune function.

ASCORBIC ACID
This is a form of vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for collagen formation, antioxidant, iron absorption, immune function, and formation of some hormones. Vitamin C needs to be obtained from our diet and cannot be synthesized.

THIAMINE MONONITRATE
It is a form of the vitamin thiamin, which is useful in the metabolism of carbohydrates and BCAAs for energy. It is important for the transmission of nerve impulses and formation of neurotransmitters.

ZINC
It is a mineral required for many body reactions. It stabilizes many cell walls and is involved in many body reactions. It is important for the immune system.

MAGNESIUM OXIDE
Magnesium is vital in building protein, bone metabolism, enzyme actions, muscle contractions, nerve conductions, maintenance of teeth, and helping the heart rhythm.

COPPER
Copper is a helper in many body functions. It helps form collagen and helps repair connective tissues. It is an anti-inflammatory and helps form myelin around nerves. It is an antioxidant along with zinc, SOD (superoxide dismutase), and ceruloplasmin.

PANTOTHENIC ACID
It helps with many body chemical reactions and is very important in the cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to release energy. It is the “antistress” vitamin. It supports the adrenal glands to increase production of cortisone and other adrenal hormones to help counteract stress. It is thought to prevent aging and wrinkles.

MANGANESE
Manganese is used in many body reactions, especially carbohydrate metabolism.

VITAMIN E
It is a fat-soluble antioxidant

CALCIUM
Provides bone and tooth structure, blood clotting, nerve conduction, and is necessary for muscle function.

NIACINAMIDE
It is an active form of the vitamin niacin which helps in many body reactions and is especially important in the metabolism of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids.