Health 2/3

Aphrodisiac

Romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The reputed aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate are most often associated with the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption. Although there is no proof that chocolate is indeed an aphrodisiac, a gift of chocolate is a familiar courtship ritual.

Muscle recovery

A study from James Madison University, presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting, showed that post-exercise consumption of lowfat chocolate milk provides equal or possibly superior muscle recovery compared to a high-carbohydrate recovery beverage with the same amount of calories. Athletes consuming chocolate milk had significantly lower levels of creatine kinase, an indicator of muscle damage, compared to drinkers of carbohydrate beverage. Sweating causes loss of fluid and also important minerals, including calcium, potassium and magnesium. The 2-hour window after exercise is an important, but often neglected opportunity to recover. ^[64]

Other benefits

Very little evidence exists to suggest whether consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate may increase or decrease the risk of cancer.
Studies suggest a specially formulated type of cocoa may be nootropic and delay brain function decline as people age.^[65]
Mars, Incorporated, a Virginia-based candy company, spends money each year on flavonol research.^[66] The company is talking with pharmaceutical companies to license drugs based on synthesized cocoa flavonol molecules. According to Mars-funded researchers at Harvard, the University of California, and European universities, cocoa-based prescription drugs could potentially help treat diabetes, dementia and other diseases.^[67]
Theobromine was found to be almost one third more effective than codeine, the leading cough medicine.^[68]
Flavonoids can inhibit the development of diarrhea, suggesting antidiarrhoeal effects of cocoa.^[69]