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The sweet, nearly irresistible taste of chocolate can lead you to believe that it must be bad for your health. To the joy of chocolate lovers everywhere, however, studies have shown that regulated amounts of chocolate can benefit your health, and may even help protect against oral health issues like tooth decay. To celebrate the good news about chocolate, we list a few interesting facts that you may not have known about the well-beloved treat.

The Historic Journey of Chocolate

  • Early use of the cocoa bean, from which chocolate is made, differed from common uses today. The Aztec people traded the beans as currency.
  • The Olmec people, who lived between 1400 and 500 BC, are often credited with the first consumption of cocoa, turning the beans into a tasty drink.
  • After the Spanish conquered the Aztecs during the 16th century, they introduced chocolate to Europe. It soon became a popular drink throughout Europe, but was only available to royalty and the well-connected.
  • The modern milk-chocolate drink was invented by Hans Sloane, a Scottish physician and collector. During a trip to Jamaica, Sloane was introduced to a popular chocolate drink favored by the locals. The concoction made him nauseous, which he rectified by adding milk to the mixture. Upon returning to England, Sloane manufactured his “chocolate milk,” and it was sold in apothecaries as medicine.
  • In 1897, Sloane’s recipe was sold to the Cadbury brothers.
  • In 1937, chocolate became a part of the basic field rations provided to US Army soldiers. The army-issued chocolate did not taste very well, until the 1980s, when a better-tasting and heat-resistant chocolate bar was developed for the army.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call  817-473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.