Chocolate = Healthy Snacking?

This just in: for those located Stateside, Masterfoods USA (the people behind Mars Bars) are bringing their healthy line of chocolate bars to the convenience stores. CocoaVia is the name of these products, and their claim to fame is that they are loaded with anti-oxidants known as flavanols. These compounds have been associated with improving the health of blood vessels through preventing clotting and promoting healthy blood flow. Hence, less clogged arteries. These products have been available for purchase only via the internet and in multipacks at large retail stores, but it must be making an impact if it is going to be sold in the convenience store channel as single bars. So the trend of “good/better-for-you” snacking is going on strong! This article further states that the US snack market has decreased sales in items such as baked goods, in favour of healthy snacking alternatives.

I am oh-so curious to try one of these Cocoavia products to see if the taste holds up. The Mars people have been researching the benefits of flavanols for 15 years now, so they must know what they are doing, and have a serious investment in the (healthy) snack market. The Cocoavia website is packed with articles on the science behind chocolate, plus its heart healthy aspects. This is something I will definitely have to investigate, but being a chocolate lover myself, I do admit to eating my fair share!