Petite histoire médicale et savoureuse du chocolat

The story of cocoa and chocolate begins in Mesoamerica and extends through the 16th century Spanish conquest. This exotic beverage had an early-recognized medicinal value and was used for many indications. Today cocoa remains a subject of medical study. There are accumulating data suggesting that it contains pharmacologically active compounds as polyphenols that may be useful in cardiometabolic diseases, and other substances as bioamines perhaps of interest in psychoaffective and mood disorders. In any event, chocolate may be considered as a useful and comforting food which can take place in a balanced diet.