This hot drink (that we all love) contains 5 times more antioxidants than tea

We love it hot as a snack, near the stove, in front of the TV or after spending the day outside. In a study reported in Science Dailyresearchers at Cornell University in New York have shown that this winter’s flagship drink contained far more antioxidants than an equivalent amount of tea or red wine, two drinks known to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are incredible protective agents for the body. They protect the cells of a premature aging, pollution, stress…They participate in making lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) in the blood, they help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, etc.), cardiovascular illnesses and of cancersthey protect the eyes from AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and cataracts.

“5 times more antioxidants than in black tea”

To better understand how these drinks compare in terms of antioxidants, the researchers tested them using similar serving sizes. Their tests included a cup of hot water containing two tablespoons of pure unsweetened cocoa powder (roughly equivalent to the amount of cocoa in a regular-sized bag of instant hot chocolate), a cup of water containing a bag of green tea, a cup of black tea and a glass of red wine (a Merlot from California). Coffee and cranberry juice (known to contain high levels of antioxidants) have not been studied. Using special techniques, researchers showed that per servingthe concentration of antioxidants in hot chocolate was:

• 2 times higher than in red wine
• 2 to 3 times higher than in green tea
• 4 to 5 times higher than in black tea

“Although you can enjoy hot or cold cocoa, the hot version tends to trigger the release of more antioxidants than the cold version“, explain the researchers. Hot chocolate is therefore no longer to be demonized! It is also rich in iron, magnesium and potassium.

One or two cups from time to time

However, be careful not to overuse it. Hot chocolate (especially when it is made with milk and not water) remains a drink caloric, fatty and sweet (count approximately 150 calories per cup, with 5 g of fat and 20 g of sugar). It can nevertheless be part of a balanced diet, in addition to other sources of antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables. In other words, we don’t drink it every day, but from time to time. “Although we know that antioxidants are important for good health, no one knows the exact daily amount required by anyone [….] Nevertheless, a cup or two of hot chocolate every now and then can be a delicious, hearty and healthy way to get more antioxidants” says Chang Yong Lee, Ph.D., study leader and professor of food chemistry in the Department of Food Science and Food Science at Cornell Technology.

To obtain the healthiest possible alternative, researchers advise:

→ Replace cow’s milk with skimmed milk or a vegetable drink made from soy, almond or oats

→ Do not add sugar or replace it with a natural sweetener (teaspoon of honey, agave syrup or coconut sugar for example).

→ Count 2 tablespoons of cocoa (approximately 20g) for a 20 cl cup.

→ Opt for cocoa powder pure unsweetened (like Van Houten or Monbana). Please note that the higher the cocoa content of the chocolate powder, the fewer calories it contains.

→ You can sprinkle a little cinnamon or a few grains of vanilla to flavor it.