‘Science’ program promotes chocolate’s healthy benefits

Chocolate can be very beneficial to human health. This message was one of many conveyed to the audience at the “Science of Chocolate” event Saturday morning at WonderLab. \nKicking off “The Week of Chocolate,” the “Science of Chocolate” allowed attendees to learn about the scientific benefits of chocolate, all while enjoying hands-on activities and some tasting. \n“We’re talking specifically chocolate’s science and why it might be good for people,” said Karen Jepson-Innes, associate executive director of WonderLab.\nBruce Martin, an IU professor of physiology, gave a lecture at the event and revealed many chocolate facts. \n“A lot of people think that chocolate is just junk food, but it does have many benefits,” Martin said. “The lecture went very well, and we’re really hoping to do something like this next year.”\nMany people, including a WonderLab employee, joined in on the tasting activities. Patricia Cummings, a WonderLab supporter, came to the event out of curiosity. \n“There is more of a science to it than I thought,” Cummings said. “The effects and benefits were very interesting, and the hands-on activities gave me a better understanding of how it really works.”\nStaci Radford-Vincent, programs manager of WonderLab, led the audience in the hands-on activities and finished the event with a lesson on the art of tasting chocolate. While explaining the different qualities of chocolate, Radford-Vincent instructed participants in the different tasting methods, much like how a wine tasting event would be held. \n“We wanted to help people relate to its science and really understand the benefits, along with hands-on experience,” Radford-Vincent said. \nThe differences in how certain chocolates snap in half and between room-temperature and cold chocolates all helped the audience better understand the different qualities and types of chocolate.\nThe event, one of many during “The Week of Chocolate,” is part of a community partnership program with WonderLab, IU Continuing Studies and Options for Better Living, Inc. to raise funds to help serve disabled people in the community. \n“WonderLab has enjoyed providing one of the events for the last few years,” Jepson-Innes said. “It’s a great fundraiser.”