Dr. Tim Driscoll prescribes three to five doses of dark chocolate a day for his patients.No, the dentist isn’t a character out of a Roald Dahl book. He’s for real.
“The health benefits of dark chocolate include a broad spectrum ofthings,” said Driscoll, who works at Sunrise Dental Care in Geneva. “Itreverses arterial sclerosis, lowers insulin dependency, decreases thecavity rate and odors of the mouth, reduces inflammation associatedwith 200 diseases, has cardiovascular and cholesterol benefits,resolves skin issues and helps with joint problems.”
Like a growing number of doctors recognizing the positivesassociated with the confection, he even sells certain lines ofchocolate out of his office. So what’s causing the medical change ofheart after years of warning people to stay away from the sugary snack?
According to Driscoll, a new patented processing technique involvingcold-compression allows the chocolate to retain much of its rawvaluable assets.
“Raw cocoa has the highest antioxidant power known to man, but untilnow, the method killed 60 to 80 percent of those ingredients,” he said.“Without that chemical process of adding milk, sugars and caffeine, thechocolate tasted bitter and almost rancid.
“I tell my patients that dark chocolate is healthy and milkchocolate is the processed stuff. You don’t want it heated,” Driscolladded. “We’re not talking candy here — I always have to get thatdistinction across.”
Xocai, a company that carries cold-compressed dark chocolate, is his line of choice.
“It tastes like the chocolate made in Belgium, and I’d compare it to Godiva,” Driscoll said.
According to a pamphlet issued by Dr. Steven Warren, founder of theFoundation for Flavonoid Research and medical advisor for Xocai, theproducts combine unprocessed, non-alkalized cacao powder with Acaiberries and blueberries. The results have powerful antioxidantpossibilities.
Conversely, chocolate seen on store shelves use bad fats, waxes andpreservatives that leave them high in calorie count and low in health,Warren added.
“This is one of those good-news things you like to hear. I lovechocolate myself,” said Dr. Thomas Gibbs, a dentist with Smile GlenEllyn.
Parts of the cocoa bean do help prevent tooth decay, so cocoa-basedfoods (or even toothpaste or mouth wash) can reduce the risk ofcavities and improve oral health, Gibbs said.
“Half a nugget is the equivalent of three-quarters of a pound of rawbroccoli with regards to antioxidants. I mean, this is chocolate. Andyou get to eat it every day,” Driscoll said.
GateHouse News Service - Geneva, IL
