Institute For The Future

A new twist on the health benefits of chocolate

Next door to the IFTF offices is a Blockbuster movie rental store. Sometimes, when we really need a chocolate fix, we stop in to buy a package of what Nestle calls their "classic" brands--maybe some Goobers or Raisinets.

 

Now, it is pretty much old news that dark chocolate, which is rich with the antioxidant, flavanol, is "good" for our health--it lowers blood pressure and reduces LDL cholesterol levels. But I had no idea that my favorite movie-watching snacks were good for me, too! Imagine my surprise when I saw their nutritional benefits highlighted on their new packaging:

Raisinets are "rich in fruit anti-oxidants" and have "30% less fat"! Goobers offer "5 grams of protein"! Protein in my snack food?! Cool! (Actually, I have long justified my fondness for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with the "good source of protein" excuse.) Of course, if you really want to go all-out, try dark chocolate Raisinets. Unfortunately, Blockbuster was all out.