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Cacao is a tree, native to South America but is found in tropical locations worldwide, whose seeds are the source of cocoa used to make chocolate.1
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According to the Association of Chocolate Biscuit and Confectionery Industries, Australia is the 11th largest chocolate-consuming country in the world (5.31kg/person/year in 2005)1,2
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Despite the popular, lingering myth, there is no evidence that chocolate does cause acne. Acne is usually the result of an improper diet or a hormone imbalance.3
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There is no evidence to suggest that chocolates are responsible for causing headaches. Headaches are due to different factors such as stress, hunger, irregular sleep patterns and hormone changes.3
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Chocolate consumption in the USA is less than half of Switzerland's!1,2
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The main type of saturated fat in chocolate is stearic acid, which emerging evidence suggests does not increase blood cholesterol levels.
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Chocolate contains substances called catechins. These are antioxidants that help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals.3
References
1. Chocosuisse. Accessed at: http://www.chocosuisse.ch/ [Accessed on: 10/07/2007]
2. Association of Chocolate Biscuit and Confectionery Industries. Accessed at: www.caobisco.com [Accessed on: 25/06/2007]
3. Department of Human Services, Victoria. Better Health Channel. Chocolate. Accessed at:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Chocolate?OpenDocument [Accessed on: 25/06/2007]