Humans have been consuming chocolate for hundreds of years, originally made as a liquid from cocoa beans. Over different periods, some cultures—though not all—have added ingredients like sugar, milk, and shiny wrappers. Despite these additions, cocoa is still consumed traditionally by some, sparking debates about the health benefits of chocolate.
According to Socuta, the Kuna Indians living on the San Blas Islands in Panama exhibit low blood pressure and have a significantly lower risk of diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cancer. Their life expectancy is notably high, as reported by Marji McCullough, Director of Pathology Research at the American Cancer Association.
Although there is scientific consensus that consuming large amounts of salt is associated with high blood pressure, the diet of the Kuna Indians contains nearly the same amount of salt as the average American diet.
In the magical world of chocolate, Marji McCullough visited the Kuna Indians to understand the details of their daily diet. She discovered that they consume about four cups of cocoa mixed with water and small amounts of sugar daily.
