又中又英｜Food of the gods

In a recent column I wrote about a new study that conflicted with other studies about the health benefits of drinking wine. Earlier studies showed moderate drinking, such as one or two glasses of wine daily, benefits health. But a new study showed moderate alcohol consumption has no health benefits. There are now conflicting opinions about the health benefits of chocolate. I have read many studies that showed eating dark chocolate has health benefits. I used to eat a small piece of dark chocolate daily until my doctor told me to stop because I have a problem with my digestive system.

The New York Times interviewed several health experts about the health benefits of chocolate. One heart specialist said he was sold on the benefits of eating chocolate. If you are sold on something, it means you are very enthusiastic about it. He said cocoa is good for health but whether chocolate is good for health depends on how much cocoa it contains. Chocolate is made from cocoa, which is obtained from the beans of the cacao tree. The scientific name for cacao translates to food of the gods. Milk chocolate contains only about 20 percent cocoa. The heart specialist said for possible health benefits, people should choose dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa.

The New York Times pointed to some studies that showed dark chocolate or cocoa supplements can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol and health of blood vessels. But other studies showed eating chocolate has no health benefits and people who eat chocolate regularly will gain weight. These studies will be a blow (disappointment) to chocolate lovers.

在最近一篇文章中我写及一个新的研究，与其他关于喝葡萄酒有健康益处的研究结果不一致。之前的研究显示，适量喝酒，例如每天一至两杯葡萄酒，对健康有益；但一个新的研究显示，适量喝酒并无健康裨益。现在，对于朱古力的健康裨益，又有不一致的意见。我读过许多研究指，吃黑朱古力对健康有益，我过去经常每天吃一小块黑朱古力，直至我医生叫我不要再吃了，因为我的消化系统有点毛病。

《纽约时报》就着朱古力的健康益处访问了几位健康专家，一位心脏科专家说他很热衷于吃朱古力的好处（sold on the benefits of eating chocolate）。若你是 sold on something，意即你对某事物很热心。他说可可对健康有益，但朱古力是否对健康有益，则取决于它含有多少可可。朱古力是以可可制成的，取自可可树（cacao tree）的豆。Cacao的学名翻译出来的意思是「众神的食物」（food of the gods）。牛奶朱古力只有大约百分之20的可可。那位心脏专家说，要想有潜在的健康裨益，人们应选取含至少百分之70可可的黑朱古力。

《纽约时报》表明，一些研究显示，黑朱古力或可可保健品可以降血压，以及改善胆固醇水平和血管的健康。然而有其他研究显示，吃朱古力并无健康裨益，恒常吃朱古力的人士会发胖。这些研究对于朱古力爱好者而言都是一大打击（be a blow）。

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Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻