The thought of using chocolate, or more specifically
flavanols an inherent nutrient of cocoa, to decrease
risk of certain chronic diseases in the 21st century
has gained credibility among nutritionists. The
contemporary discovery of the physiology and health
implications of this phytochemical has renewed
interest in using chocolate as a medicine. The
medicinal use of chocolate has a long history,
however. It was determined that chocolate was used
medicinally in early North America. The overarching
question was: when, why, who and what factors
influenced its decline as a medicine, and given the
rise of functional foods during contemporary times
have consumers in North America resumed medical
consumption of chocolate based on current scientific
findings? There is evidence that indeed chocolate
was used medicinally, the exact factor that caused
its decline is blurred. However, by purveying
cookbooks and other primary documents, a trail can
be followed that points towards a shifting American
medical culture, while adding milk and sugar to
cocoa position chocolate be become a confectionary.
flavanols an inherent nutrient of cocoa, to decrease
risk of certain chronic diseases in the 21st century
has gained credibility among nutritionists. The
contemporary discovery of the physiology and health
implications of this phytochemical has renewed
interest in using chocolate as a medicine. The
medicinal use of chocolate has a long history,
however. It was determined that chocolate was used
medicinally in early North America. The overarching
question was: when, why, who and what factors
influenced its decline as a medicine, and given the
rise of functional foods during contemporary times
have consumers in North America resumed medical
consumption of chocolate based on current scientific
findings? There is evidence that indeed chocolate
was used medicinally, the exact factor that caused
its decline is blurred. However, by purveying
cookbooks and other primary documents, a trail can
be followed that points towards a shifting American
medical culture, while adding milk and sugar to
cocoa position chocolate be become a confectionary.