A bright idea to make chocolate a superfood

IT is the news all chocolate lovers s have been waiting for.

Scottish scientists have credited the confectionary with ‘superfood’ properties normally found in fruit and vegetables.

And they believe an artisan chocolate e made in Scotland could hold the key to o unlocking hidden benefits.

Scientists from Queen Margaret University ( QMU), Edinburgh, have shown that chocolate has the potential to increase reaction times of rugby players.

Research also showed t hat i Q Chocolate has a greater antioxidant level compared to other leading chocolate brands.

The Stirling-based chocolate- maker enlisted the help of QMU and 12 of Scotland’s rugby sevens players to put the product through robust scientific analysis and up against the extreme demands of sporting giants.

The result of the mental function study also confirmed the rugby squad displayed a marked trend towards faster reaction times after eating the iQ brand.

Dr Jane McKenzie, Academic Lead for Food & Drink Knowledge Exchange at Queen Margaret University, said: ‘Cocoa rich products like chocolate are amongst the most concentrated and valuable sources of antioxidants in the diet. Antioxidants can help protect cells from damage and are important, as well as improved mental function.

‘ There was a trend towards greater cognitive performance amongst the Scottish Rugby Union sevens squad after eating iQ Chocolate compared with the other brands. Results also confirmed that iQ Chocolate has a greater antioxidant level.’

The makers of iQ Chocolate said they have developed a unique process, designed to maximise the nutritional value, from the bean to the bar. Its creators Kate Hamilton and Jane Shandley are also the only women in the country making chocolate direct from the bean.

Mrs Hamilton, product innovation director, said: ‘The data from QMU is helping us develop our product range. We are extending our product offering, to include a range of bars specifically designed for athletes and sport and exercise participants looking for a natural boost to performance. We are continuing to work with QMU, as part of our drive to reposition chocolate as a naturally healthy food to be enjoyed as part of a nutritionally balanced diet.’

The iQ Chocolate is a raw, organic, bean-to-bar chocolate that has a high 72 per cent cocoa content. It is produced and formulated in a particular way to retain specifically high antioxidant level.