Reply to comment

This was reported some time ago in the BBC News, a report of a study only concerned with those commercial grade cocoas ... which STILL came out ahead of tea and wine:

In 1998, a study of more than 8,000 Americans found chocolate, which is made from cocoa, may even extend life.

They are all rich in polyphenols, chemicals that have an antioxidant effect on the body.

This means they can "mop up" free radicals - charged particles, produced by the body, which can damage cells and trigger diseases like cancer.

Dr Chang Yong Lee and colleagues at Cornell University in New York carried out tests to measure antioxidants levels in tea, red wine and cocoa.

A cup of cocoa came out on top. Their study found it was twice as rich in antioxidants as a glass of red wine, up to three times richer than a cup of green tea and up to five times richer than black tea.

Although cocoa is found in many other products, such as chocolate, the researchers said drinking it was the best way of harnessing its health benefits.
[ BBC NEWS | Health | Cup of cocoa may keep doctor away ]