Taste and Learn: Benefits of Drinking with Chocolate

One of ChocoVivo's many delicious creations

This month, we are so excited to be welcoming Patricia Tsai and Alex Conn, founders of ChocoVivo, who will be leading a workshop (a taste & learn!) on the health benefits of - as you may have guessed - chocolate. Yum!

We had the opportunity to chat with Alex before the workshop kicks off on February 26th. Quick plug: there is still space open in the Drinking with Chocolate workshop so don't forget to RSVP by calling 310-314-2555 or at cancersupportcommunitybenjamincenter.org! 

Alex, how long have you been exploring the benefits of chocolate? 

I have been working on chocolate since the mid-90s. We filed our patent in late 1990! 

What will CSC members learn from this workshop? 

They will learn (at least) 3 things: 
1) what is good chocolate
2) how we study the medical effects and use of plants
3) issues with the current ("colonial plantation") food chain from a health perspective

What are some of the benefits of incorporating chocolate into the diet, particularly for those with cancer?

There is no short answer to this question. It really depends on the type of cancer - stage and treatments. Ethnomedical and modern medical ideas are different. I will elaborate further during the workshop. 

For more information about this fascinating topic, please feel free to peruse the articles linked below. If you have any questions for discussion, please comment below and we will do our best to pass them on to the workshop leaders Patricia and Alex. 

LIVESTRONG: 5 things you need to know about chocolate and cancer 
Cancer.org: Can Eating Chocolate Prevent Cancer?
NYU Langone Medical Center: True or False: Eating Dark Chocolate Can Lower Your Risk of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease