Such is the prospect facing chocolate companies in the wake of recent studies touting the benefits of flavonoids in dark chocolate. Researchers at Athens Medical School (Greece) found dark chocolate may have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system in healthy people. Cocoa contains a rich supply of phenol antioxidants, which bind with free radicals and transform them into non-damaging compounds. Dark chocolate has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) four to five times higher than other antioxidants found in such foods as raisins, blueberries, blackberries and kale.
Manufacturers are wasting little time in promoting chocolate's benefits. One, in fact, is responsible for many of the discoveries. As Bob Gamgort, president of the North American division of Mars Inc. (Hackettstown, N.J.), explains, "We place a high value on sound scientific research and are fulfilling a decades-long plan to which we have devoted significant investment with regard to exploring the healthy aspects of cocoa. This plan starts to roll out now with the expansion of our portfolio to meet consumers' need for health and nutrition."