From chocolate cake to chocolate bars to hot chocolate, Americans love indulging in sweet, chocolaty treats. In fact, according to a recent survey by Barry Callebaut, a major producer of high-quality cocoa & chocolate, nearly half of Americans (46%) eat chocolate at least a few times per week.

The survey found that U.S. adults are also exploring other chocolate varieties. For example, 38% percent of Americans say they eat single-origin chocolate; chocolate made from cocoa beans from a specific region instead of using a blend of beans from different origins, compared with just 10.8% percent of Europeans.

The Barry Callebaut survey also found that Americans believe chocolate:

 Boosts morale (52%)
 Revitalizes you (46%)
 Is good for the heart and cardiovascular system (31%)
 Contains anti-cancerous ingredients (31%)
 Enhances the memory (16%)
 Enhances sexual performance (15%)
 Helps prevent hair loss (5%)

We’re right there with those who get a morale boost from great chocolate, skeptical on the hair loss prevention, but ready to buy the enhanced sexual performance claim. It is a fact that the Journal of Neuroscience has published a study indicating that the regular consumption of flavanols found in rich, dark chocolate, "improves spatial memory retention in adult mammals."

We’ve also reported that the naturally occurring compounds in cocoa can lead to a range of circulatory health benefits including brain and cardiovascular blood flow improvements, according to research published last year in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. Previous studies demonstrated that the consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa can improve blood vessel function and reduce the formation of damaging clots.

Once more, we're ready re-double our commitment to eating great chocolate in order to protect our health!

If you’d like to try some Fair Trade chocolate from Theo, our favorite chocolate maker, click on any of the following:

Theo Organic Chocolate Confections

Organic Chocolate from Ghana's Cacao

Organic Chocolate from the Ivory Coast's Cacao

Organic Bread & Chocolate Bars

Would you like to try the best chocolate ice cream we've ever tasted? If so, go to: Custard Chocolate Ice Cream

If you'd like to try a handmade chocolate cheesecake so rich it's almost sinful go to: Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

If you'd like to try a wonderful Tex-Mex recipe calling for chocolate go to: Mole Sauce