chocolate cuts blood clot risk

So here it is. The news we've all been waiting for (after the red wine is good for you news, of course) - the chocolate we crave and love may be good for us. A study by Johns Hopkins University was recently featured at an American Heart Association meeting in Chicago and there attendees heard that a chemical in cocoa beans has a biochemical effect similar to aspirin in reducing platelet clumping. The report suggested that if we eat a small amount of chocolate or drink hot cocoa as part of a regular diet it is good for personal health, so long as you don't eat too much and not the kind with lots of sugar and butter. Research shows that the compounds called flavenoids which are present in chocolate may be the beneficial ingredient and suggested two tablespoons of dark chocolate a day could have a beneficial effect. However, it was also pointed out that although cocoa beans many be beneficial, chocolate rich in fat and sugar (especially milk chocolate) could contribute to heart problems and suggested instead eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, which as every chocolate lover knows, is not going to do it.

After some research I found that many famous people had come to this conclusion about chocolate themselves. Here are some of my favorite quotes taken from the very funny cookbook, Culinarytherapy: The Girl's Guide to Food for Every Mood:

"The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink (cocoa) permits a man to walk for a whole day without food". Montezuma II

"The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain." Thomas Jefferson

"Never mind about 1066 William the Conqueror, 1087 William the Second. Such things are not going to affect one's life... but 1932 the Mars Bar and 1936 Maltesers and 1937 the Kit Kat - these dates are milestones in history and should be seared into the memory of every child in the country." Roald Dahl

"And above all ... think chocolate!" Betty Crocker

"What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate." Katherine Hepburn

And what could be better than the following recipe for Chocolate Pears taken from the fabulous New Dieter's Cookbook. It contains not only the good chocolate (ie, not milk), but also a fruit and has just 76 calories per serving.

Chocolate Pears, Serves 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 30 minutes; Low Fat; No Cholesterol; No Sodium; 76 calories.

Ingredients
2 medium pears
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate pieces

Recipe
1. Arrange pear halves, cut side up, in a 9-inch pie plate. Stir together lemon juice and vanilla, and brush over pears.
2. Bake, covered, in a 375 degF oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until pears are tender. Uncover pears and sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Spoon any liquid in the pie plate over pears. Serve warm. Makes 4 servings.

Microwave instructions
1. Prepare pears as above.
2. Place in microwave-safe 9-inch pie plate. Cover with waxed paper. Micro-cook on 100% power (high) for 4 to 6 minutes (or until tender).

Nutrition information per serving: 76 calories, 1g protein, 16g carbohydrate, 2g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 124 mg potassium.