Originally published January 19 2006
Chocolate industry trying to overhaul its image by promoting health and nutritional awareness
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Following an industry-wide trend that has prioritized consumer relations and the improvement of company and product image, the Masterfoods group, maker of Mars bars, is spending a large part of its global profits to establish the Mars Nutrition for Health and Wellbeing Business Unit.
In Willy Wonka's weird and wonderful factory, chocolate is a magical substance that can be turned into endless confectionery miracles, at the same time as sorting the "rotten" children from the good and making the world a better place.
But even Roald Dahl's creative mind missed one potential innovation - an National Health Service-prescribed medicinal bar of chocolate that cuts heart disease and lengthens life expectancy.
The effects of cocoa flavenols have been described as 'extraordinary' Confectionery companies are spending millions on research to prove the benefits of the cocoa bean, and develop "healthy" products that could be as useful as drugs in treating heart disease and other conditions.
The Masterfoods group, which makes Mars bars, among other brands, has spent much of the profits from its $18-billion of global sales on setting up the Mars Nutrition for Health and Wellbeing Business Unit.
The health benefits of chocolate have long been known: it was used in the 16th century to raise stamina and prevent disease, while Indian homeopaths used the cacao fruit to treat low blood pressure.
Cocoa beans from which chocolate is made are among the best sources of chemicals called flavenols and phytosterols, which are good for the heart.
'There are lots of good foods which are also high in calories' In normal processing to make chocolate, most of the flavenols are destroyed, and the addition of refined sugar and fat makes the finished product high in calories and low in health benefits.
The result is a chocolate bar called CocoaVia, which contains just 80 calories and high levels of flavenols.
The company has now patented the discovery and is apparently in "serious discussions" with pharmaceutical companies about developing medicines based on the process.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml