Health by Chocolate | Symphony Natural Health

Chocolate is one of the world’s favorite flavors and throughout history, chocolate has been considered a precious commodity. The botanical name for chocolate – Theobroma cacao, means “food of the Gods” in Ancient Greek. In the Aztec culture, only the elite drank chocolate, it was typically served at the end of special banquets. At one point in time the Aztecs and the Mayans even used the cocoa bean as currency! Casanova, the famed romancer, was known as one of the first to use the chocolate drink as an aphrodisiac. In the 1680’s, in Martinique, chocolate was such a part of the culture that it was used for time – so, arriving at ‘chocolate’ was arriving at 8 o’clock. And in 2011 global chocolate sales totaled $18.6 billion (according to Mintel) and is now even honored by International Chocolate Day on September 13th. But can we dare think something so delicious can actually provide health benefits. Chocolate has made such a lasting cultural impact across many continents that scientists have been investigating what it is about chocolate that makes it so desired. And what they are finding suggests that chocolate may not only be an indulgence but may actually be good for you!