Choccy offers sun protection (and beauty benefits)

From the 'more good chocolate news' file: German researchers have found that high-flavonol cocoa can protect skin and improve its overall quality.

The results of a small trial found women who drank cocoa containing a large dose of flavonoids – antioxidants found in plants – had more resistance to UV radiation than women who drank a low-flavonoid cocoa. Their skin was also smoother and moister than that of the other women.

The dose of flavonoids was about equivalent to what you would get in 100g of dark chocolate.

This is the latest in a range of antioxidant-rich foods that scientists believe have potential to protect us from sun damage.

Source: Journal of Nutrition, June 2006