chocolate. Who doesn't want to believe that the most potent antioxidant elixir is the food we crave the most? When something that tastes so incredibly rich and irresistible is found to be healthful it inevitably spawns an entire subcategory of nutraceutically enhanced products. And so goes chocolate . . .
It's not enough that the indigenous properties of chocolate carry with them the possibilities of lowered blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease and strokes, improved insulin resistance, a strengthened immune system, control of cell-damaging free radicals, lower levels of rheumatism, the alleviation of stress and even
the suppression of persistent coughs. Nope. We want more. We want to fight the good fight against disease and age, and we'll add everything we can to our already protective chocolate armor.
For osteoporosis, there's calcium. Though recently the efficacy of calcium supplements has been questioned, can you imagine them ever described as "gourmet" or "luxurious?" Only with the addition of chocolate can Adora tell women to "get your calcium the gourmet way, with the luxurious, healthful chocolate calcium supplement."
We all know that stress is the enemy of a healthy long life, so of course it makes perfect sense that a company named Intelligent Nutrients would come up with a bar called Innercalm. The organic "IN-Fused" chocolate is "enhanced" with 150 mg of L-theanine, which supposedly has been shown to help promote clarity and relaxation and reduce stress.
The infusion of "flavorful aromatic essential oils of organic lavender, mandarin, chamomile and orange as well as sustainably wildcrafted Australian Sandalwood" are purported to provide "aromatherapeutic benefit" (which certainly sounds relaxing). Of course, there are the expected organic blueberries. What I find most interesting about the bar is the positioning "above and beyond organic chocolate."
The implication is that this is the next generation of healthy "better for you and the planet" chocolate. While the essential oils are very, very strong, and the language perhaps a bit New Agey, the concept of chocolate bars infused with ever more effective health properties is a compelling one to consider for both its near-term affects and those far into the future.
In looking to this future, one company, ChocoMed, Inc., hopes to eventually offer the "ultimate combination of the power of medicine and the sweet taste of chocolate." ChocoMed is a wholly owned subsidiary of the House of Brussels Chocolates, Inc., and is currently working with several companies to develop "nutraceutical-fortified chocolate" and to further identify supplements and pharmaceutical compounds that can use chocolate as a carrier to treat various medical conditions.
Forget Death by Chocolate, We Want Long Life By Chocolate. First there were the flavanoid-rich Mars' CocoaVia bars and Hershey's high cacao percentage Extra Dark chocolate bars, now there's an unending
plethora of super dark antioxidant packed chocolate options. And one German confectioner, with the help of a doctor from the Kentze Institute for Age Prevention Medicine, claims to have created the true silver bullet — the first anti-aging chocolate confections.
His formula? It calls for "three parts 100 percent cocoa bitter couverture chocolate (unsweetened) to one part 70 percent bitter couverture, blended with soy milk and mango puree." The recommendation is to have one or two of these chocolates at the end of the day with a cup of tea. Apparently, a tester of the chocolates commented, "they don't fill you up, but you immediately feel 15 years younger."
If this doesn't work, you can always try the last resort: "Chocolate Sunshine." Really! It's the only product line sold on www.healthychocolatetreats.com. Hey, we've always known that vitamin D is good for us, and playing outside in the sun is one way to keep young. Unfortunately, most of us have to stay inside sometimes and work. What are we to do?
I'm all for another reason to gaze out the window, savor chocolate, and feel healthier for it too. There seem to be a few folks these days who are adding unsweetened cocoa powder to their flax cereal every morning, and topping it off with a few spoonfuls of blueberries, to further ward off the evil spirits of aging. Will Cocoa Puffs soon be cocoa-glazed whole grain puffs filled with pressed cocoa nuggets? Or will there be a new line of crunchy cocoa toasts that you can dip into your hot chocolate, or carry with you to work each morning?
Time will tell — and who knows? Perhaps if we consume enough chococeuticals, even if it's 50 years in the future, we might all be here — in good health — to remind the young ones to finish their chocolate before they can have dessert.
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