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It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.

Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy


 

Ask Dr. Gourmet

Would a hot chocolate mix offer the same benefits as hot cocoa?

Hot ChocolateI was very interested in your article: Hot Chocolate for High Blood Pressure? as I drink hot chocolate after taking innulin every evening at bedtime. I note you state "not hot chocolate mix" and I wonder why this is? I use Nestle Carnation Light brand made with water and this has 45 calories. Skim milk would add 60 calories but this stuff tastes so good I don't need to use milk.

Ingredients

MODIFIED MILK INGREDIENTS, SKIM MILK POWDER, COCOA, CARRAGEENAN, SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME-POTASSIUM.

Dr. Gourmet Says...

I put this cautionary statement in the conclusion because many hot chocolate products have very little actual cocoa in them. They will often be milk powder combined with artificial chocolate or cocoa flavorings. Because the study was done with real cocoa products, simply saying "hot chocolate" might not offer the same benefit.

Thanks for writing,

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet