Sweet news about chocolate

NOT GUILTY

Doesn't raise cholesterol
Surprisingly, the fat in chocolate (cocoa butter) does not raise cholesterol -- at least in men with normal cholesterol (under 200). When the men went on a month-long binge of cocoa butter or pure chocolate (equivalent to seven chocolate bars a day) their cholesterol did not rise. But it soared 18 points when they pigged out on butter.

Doesn't cause acne
Giving up chocolate won't cure acne or pimples, according to a famous test at the University of Pennsylvania. In the test, 65 acne-plagued adolescents ate the amount of chocolate in 1 pound of bittersweet chocolate a day for a month. For another month, they ate a dummy chocolate bar. Their acne was no worse on the real chocolate than on the fake chocolate.

Doesn't cause most headaches
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not a common trigger of headaches, says Dawn Marcus, of the University of Pittsburgh. In recent tightly controlled tests, she gave disguised chocolate (similar to a commercial candy bar) and carob (fake chocolate) to 63 women plagued by tension headaches, migraines or both. Half did not develop headaches within 12 hours of eating either. In the others, carob was just as apt to cause a headache as the chocolate.

No link to hyperactivity
Some contend that eating chocolate (or sugar) causes hyperactivity, aggression or other behavior problems, notably in children. But several scientific studies have found no evidence of that. In fact, some research finds sweets calm many children.

GUILTY

Chocolate's greatest crime is that it usually is combined with animal fats, dangerous trans-fats and sugar in high-calorie, bad-fat baked goods. Plus, it:

Can cause heartburn
Chocolate is a common culprit in heartburn, according to tests by Donald O. Castell, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania. The reason: Chocolate contains concentrations of theobromine, which relaxes the esophageal sphincter muscle, letting stomach acid squirt up into the esophagus. If you suffer from heartburn, he advises, go easy on chocolate.

Does contain caffeine
Most people have no negative reaction to small amounts of caffeine. If you're sensitive, you should know how chocolate stacks up with caffeine sources:

RECIPES

Chocolate Banana Frostie

4 very ripe bananas
5 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably premium
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tbs. maple syrup
1/4 cup skim milk or chocolate liqueur
1/4 cup toasted almond slivers, optional

Peel bananas, cut in chunks and put in foil or freezer bags; freeze until hard. In a food processor or high-powered blender, blend all ingredients except almonds until smooth. Spoon into parfait glasses or small dessert dishes; top with optional almond slivers and serve immediately. Serves 2.

Per serving: 335 calories, 6g protein, 82g carbohydrates, 7.6g fiber, 3g fat (1.5 saturated), 24mg sodium.

Chocolate Fruit-Nut Clusters

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup raw oats

Microwave chocolate chips in a covered bowl on high until melted, 2-3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add nuts, raisins and oats; combine thoroughly. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper and cool in refrigerator or freezer until hardened. Makes 15 clusters.

Per cluster: 96.5 calories, 1.5g protein, 12g carbohydrates, 0.6g fiber, 5.8g fat (2g saturated), 1mg sodium.

Nut Surprise Candy

20 dried, pitted prunes
20 whole almonds or walnut halves
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Stuff each prune with a nut. Microwave chocolate chips in a covered bowl on high until melted, 2-3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Using two forks, roll each prune in chocolate until lightly covered. Drop on waxed paper and cool in refrigerator or freezer until hardened. Makes 20 pieces.

Per piece: 66 calories, 0.7g protein, 11g carbohydrates, 0.7g fiber, 2.9g fat (1.4g saturated), 0.6mg sodium.

Photo Credit: BRIAN LEATART FOR USA WEEKEND