A new study has revealed that dark chocolate and cocoa have more antioxidants than fruit juice, making chocolate a "superfruit."
The study, which was carried out by the Hershey Company, compared antioxidant and heart-healthy polyphenol and flavanol levels in cocoa powder and products with fruit-based powders and juices. Cocoa was found to have more of the compounds than blueberry, cranberry and pomegranate, which have been previously termed "superfoods."
The study's authors noted: "Cacao seeds should be considered a 'superfruit' and products derived from cacao seed extracts, such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as 'superfoods.'"
Added Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan: "When looking for a sweet snack, a square of dark chocolate might, in fact, be your healthiest choice."
The study noted, however, that the same blood-pressure-lowering effects and health benefits were not present in more processed chocolate products, such as milk chocolate and hot chocolate drink mix.
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