Functional Chocolate is specially formulated chocolate that has benefits beyond the normal nutritional value of cacao. This can be achieved by adding ingredients including extracts and botanicals to the chocolate formula.

Blissful Plant™ may know something about Functional Chocolate since our founder Paul Frantellizzi was first to market (and won the industry’s most esteemed NUTRACON award) with his Good Superfoods™ chocolate bars. During product development, often we would use clinically tested/ proven ingredients that have FDA approved “claims” like “Supports Gut Health”, “Boosts Immune Response”, etc. Chocolate is a perfect functional food because of its massive popularity and it easily masks many botanical off-flavors, as well the obvious, which is functional chocolate is trending across the industry!

Is Chocolate a Superfood?

Chocolate is indeed a superfood (maybe “THE” superfood) for the many reasons listed below:

• Anandamide – “The Bliss Molecule” or Anandamide is found in chocolate in very small amounts. Anandamide is also found in your body as a key neurotransmitter that regulates mood and of course, the feeling of BLISS.

• Antioxidants – Recently, studies have shown that chocolate is rich in antioxidants (flavonoids) and may have health benefits that were previously overlooked. Research in 2018 found that eating 48 grams of chocolate with at least 70% cacao increased neuroplasticity in the brain, which could have positive effects on memory, cognition, and mood – serious stuff!

• Healthy Fiber – Fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The more “good” microbes are in your gut, the better your body is able to absorb nutrients as well as support an overall healthy metabolism.

• Nutrients – Calcium, copper, iron, potassium, and magnesium to name a few… all wonderful for skin health! There are over 1500 flavor components and hundreds of beneficial chemical constituents in cacao (chocolate).

• Fatty Acids – Fatty acids found in chocolate are a balance of oleic acid (a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat), stearic and palmitic acids. Stearic and palmitic acids are forms of saturated fat. This perfect balance has been clinically shown to support healthy cholesterol levels.

• Sex Health – Chocolate also contains L-arginine, an amino acid that can be an effective “natural” sex-enhancer for both women and men. It works by increasing nitric oxide and promoting better blood flow to your sexual organs.

What is Functional Hemp Chocolate?

Functional Hemp Chocolate is functional chocolate (see above!) that also includes Whole-Plant Hemp Extract. Whole Plant Hemp Extract contains fatty-acids, cannabinoids (140+), terpenes, polyphenols, and many more incredible ingredients. When infused with sustainably sourced dark chocolate, you have the PERFECT delivery system.

What is Whole Plant Hemp Extract?

Whole-Plant Hemp Extract is the result of putting the entire hemp plant through a CO2 extraction process (you can also use hot/cold press extraction, alcohol extraction, etc.). While many companies are taking the hemp plant and isolating certain cannabinoids such as CBD, we believe that the entire plant and all of its constituents has incredible properties and long term health benefits. We turn this Whole-Plant Hemp Extract into several different forms to use in a range of products and functional foods.

Are There More Ingredients Besides Chocolate and Hemp?

This all depends on the brand and recipe of the functional chocolate that you buy. Our Functional Hemp Chocolate Bars are loaded with probiotics and different botanicals including Turmeric Root, Reishi Mushrooms, Probiotics, Ginger, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Ayurvedic Botanicals, and much more. Functional Hemp Chocolate can be used to deliver a variety of other ingredients to the body, so be sure to always check your label!

Does It Taste Good?

Of course, it can with the right formulation! It is chocolate after all! Our Functional Hemp Chocolate bars all have different flavors and botanicals ranging from Black Mitcham English Peppermint to Meyer Lemon and Crystallized Ginger. We believe no matter how functional it may be, the chocolate should always taste amazing.

Chocolate is an amazing food (maybe the healthiest food on the planet) that may have more benefits and functionality than you thought! Despite being delicious and healthy, chocolate can be used to deliver valuable ingredients to your body. Join the trend today and add some Functional Hemp Chocolate to your diet!

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Knowledge is power. Share this with a friend and never stop chasing your Bliss!