In fact, recent studies show that stearic acid has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels. A 1.55 ounce Hershey's milk chocolate bar contains only 10 milligrams of cholesterol, all of which comes from the milk used in the milk chocolate. An 8-ounce glass of whole milk, for comparison purposes, has about 36 milligrams of cholesterol. Hershey's cocoa and Hershey's unsweetened baking chocolate have no cholesterol. Hershey's milk chocolate bar contains only 9 milligrams of caffeine.
Tooth decay is a food-related disease.
Sugars, as a group, play a role in tooth decay, as do most foods. Less well known is the fact that chocolate promotes less tooth decay than do crackers, raisins or granola bars. Chocolate actually appears to modify the cavity-causing potential of its sugar. It contains a component that blocks the production of plaque, the first stage of tooth decay. In addition, the cocoa butter in chocolate melts quickly and helps to clear the mouth, thereby reducing the potential to cause cavities.