What is the flavanol content in a Hershey's milk chocolate bar?

Answer 1

From the Hershey website (link below): "Data from The Hershey Company further indicates that most cocoa-containing products contain natural flavanols. Generally, the higher the concentration of cocoa; the more flavanols are in the product. Dark and baking chocolates tend to be much higher in flavanol content than milk chocolate due to higher cocoa content in the product. Natural cocoa refers to non-alkalinized cocoa. The process of alkalinization or “Dutching” cocoa significantly reduces the amount of flavanols in cocoa."

So ... Milk chocolate doesn't have as much as dark chocolate, but hey, any reason to eat chocolate is a good reason!

Answer 2

fla·vo·noid (flv-noid)
n.
Any of a large group of metabolites produced by plants that are nutritionally beneficial. Also called bioflavonoid.

Phytochemicals known as flavanols, which are found in chocolate, fruits and vegetables, can boost the levels of nitric oxide in the blood of smokers and reverse some of their smoking-related impairment in blood vessel function, according to a new study in the Oct. 4, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Flavanol-rich chocolate may boost blood flow in the brain and reduce the risk of dementia, experts have told attendees at the annual meeting for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)