Chocolate Unwrapped: The Surprising Health Benefits of Americas Favorite Passion

Product Details

In a word, yes. Evidence is piling up that chocolate has a list of health benefits few foods can match. Were all familiar with antioxidants, the compounds found in fruits, vegetables, red wine, and tea that prevent heart disease, cancer, and premature aging. What we dont hear is that chocolate has the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food on the planetten times that of spinach, five times that of blueberries, and four times that of green tea. Chocolate Unwrapped explains the science behind chocolates health benefits, then goes on to dispel the myths swirling around chocolate. Chocolate does not cause acne, allergies, migraines, or hyperactivity. Chocolate has much less caffeine than most people think. And tannins in chocolate actually help prevent cavities, making chocolate better for teeth than other sweets.

Though there is no proof for chocolates reputation as an aphrodisiac (both Casanova and the Aztec emperor Montezuma drank it for that purpose), chocolate has clear effects on the brain and mood. Chocolate contains anandamide, a substance that activates the same receptors in the brain as marijuana, as well as other chemicals that causes feelings of excitement and well-being, explaining the natural craving many people feel for it.

Chocolate Unwrapped not only explains the positive physical and psychological effects of chocolate, but goes on to explore the colorful history, botany, and chemistry of chocolate, so youll understand what to look for and what to avoid. A recipe section provides a multitude of healthy ways to eat chocolate, from flourless chocolate cake to Mexican mole, and a comprehensive list of resources tells you where to find the best-quality chocolates in the world. All this and more makes Chocolate Unwrapped a book that will change the lives of chocoholics everywhere.

Product Reviews

(3 stars) - Your starter book on the subject
You need to take some of the more ecstatic conclusions drawn about the health benefits of chocolate contained in this book with a significant pinch of salt. However, unlike in some other books that purport to describe the health benefits of chocolate, at least this one does refer to scientific studies that have been carried out to back up claims, even if it is not always clear exactly which studies are being referred to. By and large the author does not overestimate the potential health benefits of chocolate, but occasionally she uses sweeping statements in favour that are at odds with the scientific evidence she has just cited. That being said this is not a bad book. I would recommend it as a starter on the subject - then use the bibliography at the back of the book to go into more detail. Scientifically proved benefits of chocolate (in the amounts normally consumed by adults) are still relatively limited, but, the fact that science seems to indicate that such a wonderfully indulgent product as chocolate (and I refer to high cocoa solid chcolate here, not milk chocolate) is at worst neutral, rather than bad for you, should be seen as good news in itself!

(5 stars) - Chocolate can improve your Health!
It sounds like an oxymoron to most people when you say "Healthy Chocolate". But everything in this book is true, the antioxidants in good chocolate do wonders. Cocoa is a natural anti-inflammatory, and since over 200 diseases start with inflammation and oxidation of the cells, chocolate can help with so many things. I have seen it first hand with so many people I know, who used to have fibro, allergies, diabetes, athritis...amazing. It truly is the "food of the Gods". Don't go eat the candy kind, though, it HAS to be cold-processed chocolate. See [...] for details. I also recommend Dr. Steve Warren's book on this topic, the Healthy Chocolate Desk Reference, he has truly amazing detail in his research!

(5 stars) - GREAT BOOK!
Loved the book, a great gift for the chocolate lover in your life! It's very well written and very informative in addition to having some really good recipes included in it.

(5 stars) - Best chocolate book ever
Wow. This book really opened my eyes. I've been telling everyone about it. You'll never look at chocolate the same again! Now I try to eat some dark chocolate every day.

(5 stars) - Most readable comprehensive book about Chocolate
Congratulations to the author on an excellently researched, very readable book about Chocolate. The title alone is clever and the subtitle reassuring.
Not only is it wonderfully organized on the Contents page, it is a very enjoyable read. While I could not be described as a "chocoholic" I know many and I totally enjoy ingesting good chocolate from the bar variety to the many delicious ways of including it in our diet.
The recipes included in the text are different from the usual variety and add to the pleasure of the text. It will make an excellent gift as well as owning one personally.

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