Posts Tagged Cocoa Powders

Antioxidants in Chocolate

Dark chocolate and cocoa is derived from cocoa beans which are grown in pods on the cacao tree. Antioxidants in chocolate are from the cocoa beans. They are a rich source of natural antioxidants called flavonoids and phytochemicals called polyphenols. Flavonoids have many antioxidant properties.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

In Chocolate, More Cocoa Means Higher Antioxidant Capacity

Cocoa powder contains more beneficial antioxidants than other chocolate products, but processing decreases their contents.

hose are the results of a study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their cooperators interested in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and procyanidin levels of six chocolate and cocoa products: natural (unsweetened) cocoa powders, Dutch processed (alkalinized) cocoa powders, unsweetened baking chocolates, semi-sweet chocolate baking chips, dark chocolates, and milk chocolates.

Chocolate and cocoa powder are derived from beans that contain hefty quantities of natural antioxidants called flavonoids. The researchers found natural cocoa contains the highest capacity of the antioxidant procyanidin. Antioxidants are thought to be effective in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Resveratrol in Cocoa Powders

The industry is abuzz. Cocoa powder has the goods. Resveratrol compounds, that is.

Researchers have found in cocoa powder the flavan-3-ol polyphenol class of antioxidants known as resveratrol — 1.85 micrograms per gram to be exact. Alas, that’s less resveratrol per serving than red wine or grape juice but more than peanuts. Little known factoid, my friends.

Granted, the research was done by Hershey’s Center for Health and Nutrition, but that doesn’t automatically undermine the research results.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts