Chocolate is good for you, and the world

Forget your New Year’s resolution to burn off the Christmas pounds for a minute, and listen to this: chocolate is good for you.

Cacao, the fruit used to make chocolate, contains antioxidants and minerals with well known health benefits.

Cacao has more antioxidants that green tea or blue berries.

Antioxidants reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Useful minerals in cacao include copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Magnesium is one of the most deficient minerals in modern eating habits - elsewhere it is only found in seeds, nuts and seaweed.

Fairtrade chocolate is not only good for you - it’s good for the world.

Many cacao farmers struggle to make enough money to afford food, medicine, clean water, and school for their children.

On average, cacao farmers earn about £50 a year.

Buying fairtrade makes sure that farmers always get a fair price for the cocoa beans they sell - enabling them to feed and educate their families.

Go on, treat yourself. You’ll be making the world a better place.