Hot cocoa tops red wine and tea in antioxidants
Date: Wednesday, November 05 @ 17:18:30 EST
Topic: Bio and Medicine
http://www.scienceblog.com/community/article2045.html

There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University
have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants
per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a
healthier choice. The study adds to growing evidence of the health
benefits of cocoa and points to a tasty alternative in the quest to
maintain a diet rich in healthy antioxidants, chemicals that have been
shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging, the researchers say.
From American Chemical Society:
Hot cocoa tops red wine and tea in antioxidants; may be healthier
choice
There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University
have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants
per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a
healthier choice.
The study adds to growing evidence of the health benefits of cocoa and
points to a tasty alternative in the quest to maintain a diet rich in
healthy antioxidants, chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer,
heart disease and aging, the researchers say.
Their study, which they say is the most complete comparison to date of
the total antioxidant content of these three popular beverages, will
appear in the Dec. 3 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society,
the world's largest scientific society.
"Although we know that antioxidants are important for good health,
nobody knows the exact daily amount required per person," says Chang
Yong Lee, Ph.D., head of the study and a professor of food chemistry
in Cornell's Department of Food Science and Technology, located in
Geneva, N.Y. "Nevertheless, a cup or two of hot cocoa every once in a
while can provide a delicious, warm and healthy way to obtain more
antioxidants."
Many recent studies have touted the health benefits of red wine and
tea, all of which are known to be high in antioxidants. Although
researchers have been aware for some time that cocoa is also rich in
these compounds, its relative contribution in comparison to other
beverages has been unclear, says Lee.
To gain a better understanding of how these beverages compare in terms
of antioxidants, the researchers tested them using similar serving
sizes and conditions. The beverages tested included a cup of hot water
containing two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, roughly equivalent to
the amount of cocoa in a normal-size packet of instant hot chocolate;
a cup of water containing a standard size bag of green tea; a cup of
black tea; and one glass of red wine (California Merlot).
Using special analytical techniques to evaluate the total antioxidant
content in each beverage, the researchers showed that, on a per
serving basis, the antioxidant concentration in cocoa was the highest:
It was almost 2 times stronger than red wine, 2-3 times stronger than
green tea, and 4-5 times stronger than that of black tea.
For those who want the tasty treat but also want to avoid extra sugar
and dairy products that are common additives to cocoa, healthier
alternatives are possible: Skim or soy milk can substitute for regular
milk, while an artificial sweetener can replace the sugar.
Although you can enjoy cocoa either hot or cold, the hot version tends
to trigger the release of more antioxidants than its cold counterpart,
the researcher says.
Antioxidant-rich cocoa is also found in many different products
including desserts, sauces, liqueurs and candy bars, which differ
widely in their cocoa content. But when given a choice between getting
your antioxidant fix from a cup of cocoa or a candy bar, it is better
to go with the drinkable stuff, says Lee. A normal 40-gram bar of
chocolate contains about 8 grams of saturated fat, compared to only
0.3 grams in an average cup of hot cocoa, he notes.
Although many other popular beverages, such as coffee and cranberry
juice, also contain high levels of antioxidants, these were not
evaluated in this particular study, Lee and his associates say.
Perhaps the best way to ensure that you get plenty of antioxidants is
to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, experts say.

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