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agent. In addition, vanilla is sometimes added to enhance flavor.

David Grotto, a registered dietitian and food researcher, said he is not too concerned with how dark chocolate is processed or how much cocoa it contains. In his opinion, chocolate in any form qualifies as one of the most nutritious foods on the planet.

"Chocolate should be squarely placed on every plate of every American," said Grotto, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "With all the healthy compounds in it, you are getting a whole package deal.

"And even though the belief is that the more cocoa a bar has the healthier it is, I'm not necessarily sure that's something that can be guaranteed. I think that most likely, there are health benefits to chocolate no matter how it's processed."

While chocolate may be overflowing with health properties, Grotto admits there are still questions surrounding the tasty temptation. For instance, how much chocolate should a person eat? If one is trying to lose weight, is chocolate still a good choice? Does chocolate contain a high amount of caffeine?

After conducting years of research, Grotto has developed some guidelines for consumption. He said one to two ounces of chocolate per day is sufficient to benefit from its nutrients. If dieters are trying to avoid sugar, Grotto says chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa would be a smarter choice. For those looking to cut down on fat, the opposite is true.

According to the nutrition facts listed on various Dagoba chocolate bars, one serving of a chocolate bar with 59-percent cocoa content contains 13 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fat. One serving of a bar with 74-percent cocoa content contains 8 grams of sugar and 11 grams of fat. A bar containing 87 percent cocoa has 4 grams of sugar and 13 grams of fat.

In regards to the caffeine in chocolate, alchemist Frederick Schilling said it is very low. Schilling has found that a 2-ounce bar has the equivalent amount of caffeine in half a cup of decaffeinated coffee (3-4 milligrams). But he says a mug of hot cocoa in the morning can provide the jolt that coffee drinkers desire.

"Cocoa stimulates the brain but does not have the caffeine that coffee does," said Schilling, founder of Dagoba chocolate, based in Ashland, Ore. "Every morning, I mix about two heaping tablespoons of dark cocoa powder in an 8-ounce glass of water. It's a great way to wake up and start the day."

Schilling admits his morning concoction is bitter. However, this is exactly the way chocolate

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