Organic Dark Chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants with proven clinical benefits and can included in your daily diet.  Within a context of a health-promoting Paleo-Mediterranean Diet and the 5-Part Nutrition Protocol, chocolate can be a health-promoting addition for an antioxidant-rich snack, especially if combined with other health-promoting goodies like nuts, fresh fruit, and yogurt.  In a very real sense, chocolate exemplifies the fact that great health can be fun and tasty, too!  Chocolate does not have to be "junk food", and we don't have to feel guilty as if we are "cheating" simply because we enjoy tasty foods within the context of an overall health plan that is built upon the Paleo-Mediterranean Diet and the 5-Part Nutrition Protocol along with almost-daily exercise.

 

Dark Chocolate (preferably with little added sugar) is a dense source of antioxidants that have clinically meaningful benefits.  Clinical research in major medical journals is showing that chocolate consumption improves cardiac and brain health.

 

 

• Food source: Dark Chocolate (Theobroma cacao); cultivated for thousands of years in South and Central America, currently most production comes from Africa as well as various other countries such as Belize; the word chocolate came into English from Spanish and entered Spanish feither rom the Aztecs ("chocolatl" or "chicolatl"), the Maya ("chokol")

• Most notable phytochemicals: alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine, various antioxidants such as epicatechin

• Health benefits: Antioxidant benefits, likely to reduce the risk for cancer according to MD Anderson Cancer Center, clinical research studies have shown that chocolate can slightly reduce high blood pressure. Consuming milk chocolate or white chocolate, or drinking fat-containing milk with dark chocolate, appears largely to negate the health benefit.

• Where to obtain: Available from OptimalHealthNutrition as 85% Dark Chocolate and as sugar-free Organic Cocoa Baking Powder.

• Risks or potential adverse effects: Some people get "stimulated" from chocolate due to the caffeine-like effects; consumption at night might cause insomnia for some people.

• Discussion: Let's face it, chocolate is delicious and it helps prevent aging, heart disease, cancer, and other problems.  Research shows that it helps keep your skin and arteries healthy--thus it helps keep you young on the inside and on the outside.  Avoid forms of cocoa that have sugar, because none of us need the extra calories; besides, using cocoa that contains sugar neutralizes the health benefits of this powerful food!  Try this cocoa powder in our recipe for delicious green brownies and you'll love it!

	Selmi C, et al from University of California.  Chocolate at heart: the anti-inflammatory impact of cocoa flavanols.  Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Nov;52(11):1340-8 Chronic and acute inflammation underlies the molecular basis of atherosclerosis. Cocoa-based products are among the richest functional foods based upon flavanols and their influence on the inflammatory pathway, as demonstrated by several in vitro or ex vivo studies. Indeed, flavanols modify the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the synthesis of eicosanoids, the activation of platelets, and nitric oxide-mediated mechanisms. A relative paucity of data still characterizes the in vivo implications of these findings albeit there have been studies suggesting that the regular or occasional consumption of cocoa-rich compounds exerts beneficial effects on blood pressure, insulin resistance, vascular damage, and oxidative stress. Accordingly, rigorous controlled human studies with adequate follow-up and with the use of critical dietary questionnaires are needed to determine the effects of flavanols on the major endpoints of cardiovascular health.  [Link to journal site]
	Janszky I, et al from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.  Chocolate consumption and mortality following a first acute myocardial infarction: the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program. J Intern Med. 2009 Sep;266(3):248-57 "...RESULTS: Chocolate consumption had a strong inverse association with cardiac mortality. When compared with those never eating chocolate, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios were 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.41-1.31), 0.56 (0.32-0.99) and 0.34 (0.17-0.70) for those consuming chocolate less than once per month, up to once per week and twice or more per week respectively. Chocolate consumption generally had an inverse but weak association with total mortality and nonfatal outcomes. In contrast, intake of other sweets was not associated with cardiac or total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Chocolate consumption was associated with lower cardiac mortality in a dose dependent manner in patients free of diabetes surviving their first AMI. Although our findings support increasing evidence that chocolate is a rich source of beneficial bioactive compounds, confirmation of this strong inverse relationship from other observational studies or large-scale, long-term, controlled randomized trials is needed."  [Link to journal site]
	Green & Black's Organic Chocolate People often ask us how Green & Black’s got its name. The name was dreamt up by the company founders, Craig and Jo, to symbolize the true foundations of the brand: green for organic and black for the deep, rich dark brown (almost black) color of the chocolate.     Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa A new addition to our bar range, this intense bar is a whole new recipe that has taken us a long time to perfect. Our Head of Taste, Micah Carr-Hill, spent months working on the flavour, intensity and balance – it was essential to avoid the bitterness often associated with extremely dark chocolate.   "A generous measure of Madagascan organic vanilla was essential – as it not only lends its distinctive flavour but enhances the very essence of the chocolate – it rounds out the bitter notes and softens any tartness. It was tricky to get the balance right, but using incredibly simple ingredients – organic cocoa, organic raw cane sugar, organic vanilla – we've created a fantastically intense tasting chocolate."     Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate At Green & Black's our aim is to make the best-tasting chocolate we can from the finest organic ingredients. Many of our products use dark chocolate which has higher cocoa solids content, but even our milk chocolate has 34% cocoa solids compared to the average which is around 20%.   Dark chocolate has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure (Journal of the American Medical Association 2007; 298: 49-60).Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure if you have mild to high blood pressure, say the researchers. Remember to balance the calories from chocolate and in the rest of your diet by being active and eating a healthy, balanced diet. We use a high cocoa content in our products due to the intense flavour it delivers, not due to the proposed health benefits.   Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, specifically cocoa polyphenols. Antioxidants can help to combat free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments. Naturally occurring antioxidants are found in most plants including fruit and vegetables, as well as cocoa.   We have tested our bars for polyphenols through an independent laboratory and for epicatechin, a flavanol which also falls into the polyphenol group:   • G&B's Organic Dark 70% Chocolate – 2.2% Total Polyphenols • G&B’s Organic Dark 70% Chocolate – 1040 ppm Epicatechin • G&B’s Organic Milk Chocolate – 0.5% Total Polyphenols • G&B’s Organic Milk Chocolate – 320 ppm Epicatechin • G&B’s Organic Fairtrade Cocoa Powder – 4% Total Polyphenols • G&B’s Organic Fairtrade Cocoa Powder – 2270 ppm Epicatechin • G&B’s Organic Dark 85% Chocolate – 2.3% Total Polyphenols • G&B’s Organic Dark 85% Chocolate – 1080 ppm Epicatechin     Created Without Compromise To achieve Green & Black’s award winning taste profile we source only the best organic ingredients, including organic cocoa from both Belize and the Dominican Republic. This short film explains what’s involved in creating a chocolate without compromise, drawing on the experiences of our Belizean cocoa partners in particular.     Organic Cocoa by Green & Black’s What is organic farming? Eladio Pop, a Green & Black’s organic cocoa farmer based in Southern Belize with the Toledo Growers Association, shows us his farm, how he does it and why. Green & Black’s Manager Neil La Croix then summarises the key benefits of an organic approach and Green & Black’s chocolate itself.   Green & Black’s Belize Documentary       Organic Cocoa is amongst the most highly sprayed food crops in the world. At Green & Black’s, we choose to grow and make our chocolate organically to bring out the signature intensity and flavor in our cocoa beans. We ensure that every one of our ingredients is grown using natural, sustainable farming methods with no pesticides. This allows the true cocoa flavors to shine through and our chocolate to taste the way it was meant to – deep, fruity and full.   All of our products are organic and certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and meet the National Organic Program (NOP) standards set by the USDA. This certification gives consumers of organic products an assurance that the product is from a trusted source and matches the high standards of organic production. Furthermore, the farms where we source our cocoa beans are visited to ensure they adhere to strict guidelines that enable them to call their products organic.   We hear the term organic a lot these days but what does it really mean? Organic production differs from more commercial farming methods in that it relies on nature to produce the crop. The term "organic" when applied to crops, animal rearing, and food in general actually refers to the sustainability of the land. The product is therefore organic if the land can continue to provide food without becoming exhausted of nutrients. In practice this means that organic farming does not allow the mass use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, fostering a more natural environment for people and animals alike.   At Green & Black's, the very essence of our mission relies on sourcing organic ingredients. When we allow the depth and variety of flavor to stand out in every cocoa bean, we infuse our products with the same intensity of flavor for extraordinary taste. Organic farming is our means to this end. For us, working with so many others on quality helps us realize and share our passion for delectably intense chocolate.   We also believe that farmers who grow their crops organically are often more interested in, and concentrate on, the quality and taste of what they grow. They are more likely to choose varieties and growing methods that ensure they can successfully grow their crops without the use of chemicals. Sometimes the farmers reintroduce neglected or obscure varieties that have been forgotten, while still achieving the best taste possible. For us, working with so many others on quality helps us realize and share our passion for delectably intense chocolate.   For more information on organic production, visit CCOF.   Ingredients: Organic Cocoa Mass, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Fat-Reduced Cocoa Powder, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Whole Milk Powder, * Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin. MINIMUM COCOA SOLIDS 85% CONTAINS MILK & SOYA INGREDIENTS MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS & CEREAL The milk in our organic dark chocolate is present because it is currently made on the same production line as our organic milk chocolate.     Our bar wrappers are made from a minimum of 70% FSC certified material. They are 100% recyclable and we use water based inks. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified = Materials will come from forests that are managed in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
Make Your Purchase or Gift Just a Little Better with These Accessories Make a good purchase better by adding a little extra for only $1.	Organic Dark Chocolate Almonds--Bestseller Delectable dry-roasted organic almonds generously draped in the finest 100% organic dark chocolate.   Ingredients: Organic dark chocolate (organic sugar, organic cocoa paste, organic cocoa butter, non-GMO lecithin [an emulsifier], organic vanilla), organic almonds, tapioca dextrin, orange dewaxed unbleached glaze. Made in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, wheat and soy. Not guaranteed gluten-free. [More information / Order Now]
	Green & Black's Organic Fair Trade Cocoa Powder We wanted to highlight the robust chocolate notes of our cocoa powder. However, it wasn't enough to make it with the same Fair Trade fine flavored cocoa beans as those used in our chocolate. So we alkalized or "Dutched" the cocoa powder to achieve a wonderfully complex depth of flavor. It's an essential for transporting any chocolate recipe from good to sublime. Available in 4.4oz tubs.     [Order Now]   Nutritional Facts Typical Values Serving % Daily Value Serving Size 1 teaspoon (5g)   Servings per container 25   Calories 16   Calories from Fat 9   Total Fat (g) 1 2 % Saturated Fat (g) 0.5 3 % Cholesterol (mg) 0 0 % Sodium (mg) 2 0 % Total Carbohydrate (g) 2 1 % - Dietary Fiber (g) 2 8 % - Sugars (g) 0   Protein (g) 1 3% Vitamin A   0 % Vitamin C   0 % Calcium   1 % Iron   3 %