hot cocoa

This morning FitSugar let us know about the benefit of drinking hot cocoa. I must admit, my hot cocoa intake is usually limited to special occasions and visits to the snow. However, in honor of this great news, I've decided to whip up a batch of hot cocoa mix to keep on hand. This particular mix can be stored in an air tight container and can be made one cup at a time. Perfect for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up or late night sugar craving! To learn how to make a fantastic hot cocoa mix of your own, read more

Researchers at Cornell University have shown that a cup of hot cocoa contains more antioxidants than a cup of wine or tea. Antioxidants are chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging, and are important for a healthy body.

A cup of black tea, green tea, a glass of red wine and a cup of hot chocolate were compared. The hot cocoa had the highest concentration of antioxidants - twice as much as in a glass of red wine, and 4 times as much as black tea.

You can get the antioxidants in other foods that contain cocoa such as chocolate, but you should opt for the hot cocoa to keep your intake of saturated fat low.

Wow, and I thought hot cocoa was just for the ski lodge.

Fit's Tips: Hot cocoa packets contain a lot of extra ingredients. Try making your own healthier version using cocoa powder and skim or soy milk. And don't forget to warm it up - it triggers the release of more antioxidents.