Tomorrow - January 31st is National Hot Chocolate Day!

Yes! Since tomorrow is National Hot Chocolate Day, I thought I'd give you a "heads up", so you have time to get the things you need to celebrate - milk, chocolate, whipped cream - all essentials! So, today along with letting you know about this wonderful day, I thought I'd share some fun facts about Hot Chocolate - did you know . . .

"Although the most popular versions of hot chocolate typically do contain quite a bit in the form of sugars and carbs, some homemade varieties which contain actual dark chocolate and milk (or plant-based milks) can provide some interesting health benefits. Check out some of these ways hot chocolate might be good for you:

• Good for heart health

  According to Harvard research, hot chocolate contains flavanols and phytosterols, which are able to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, which can be an indicator of heart disease. Plus, the antioxidants are helpful in the fight against heart disease as well.

• Brain power booster

  Scientific research suggests that the flavanols in cocoa tend to increase the brain’s oxygen levels and activate neurons at a higher rate – equaling better brain performance and improved cognitive function.

• Rich in antioxidants

  Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, like polyphenols and flavonoids, which can help reduce the negative impact of aging, as well as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.

• Helps with the memory

  One study has shown drinking hot cocoa twice a day could not only give a memory boost, but may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in some people."

I found all this info on daysoftheyear dot com - you will find more info at this link. I especially find interesting the information on how dark cocoa may help protect our heart and brain as we age . . . I'm going to be drinking dark cocoa for sure!

Enjoy National Hot Chocolate Day!