There has been a dramatic increase in articles published about chocolate and health, especially related to heart disease and diabetes.  Currently on the labels of many chocolate bars are % cacao solids (CS).  But does this number have any relationship with the amount of polyphenol antioxidants in the product?  Our group analyzed 31 commercial pure chocolate bars that have % CS on the label by Folin and FRAP.  The catechin equivalents of the defatted extracts were corrected to determine polyphenols (�mol/g) in the chocolate bar.   Foreign bars (milk and dark chocolate combined) have more antioxidants than domestic bars with the same % CS on the label.   There is a significant linear relationship between % CS on the label and polyphenol content with both Folin and FRAP.  Thus the consumer can know that 70% CS has about twice as much total antioxidants per serving as a bar with 35% CS.

Labels on chocolate bars:  An accurate number for consumers to determine relative antioxidant content

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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