By Dawn Pearson
Chocolate has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years. From the Aztec Indians discovering the tropical cacao tree and the use of its beans around 1100 B.C., to the millions of candy bars sold worldwide today; chocolate has melted our hearts and kissed our souls.
After more than 3,000 years of people eating and drinking it for comfort and taste, and gifting it for holidays, there are new uses for chocolate. One Zionsville man wants you to learn about the health benefits of the darker side of chocolate.
Sherman Smith, a Zionsville resident since 1972, is an authorized distributor for Xocai Healthy Chocolate® Gourmet Dark Chocolate and Xophoria cocoa based Skin and Hair Care. He knows the benefits dark chocolate brings to an overall healthy lifestyle.
“Most people just eat chocolate as a treat, but what they don’t know is cold processed dark chocolate is the highest antioxidant food known to man,” Smith says. “It’s actually good, extremely good for your overall health and wellbeing.”
Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules, and they are all over every media outlet touting their health benefits and the prevention of diseases.
Smith explained why Xocai chocolate and their cold pressed process is different than a Hershey or premium dark chocolate candy bar.
“These chocolate products have not been heated or dutched like a traditional chocolate you would find in your local candy store. No matter how much cocoa is in the chocolate, if it has been heated and processed, it unfortunately loses many of the antioxidant benefits – much like you experience when your vegetables are overcooked.”
The public will be able to learn more about the health benefits this chocolate yields in a one-hour, free presentation at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Brick Street Inn, 175 S. Main St. Registration is not required.
For more information call Sherman Smith at 873-9827.