CHOCOLATE could one day help prevent tooth cavities, say researchers in
Japan. They have found that parts of the cocoa bean, the main ingredient of
chocolate, thwart mouth bacteria and stop dental decay.
Tooth cavities start when Streptococcus mutans bacteria produce a sticky
molecule called glucan. This helps the bacteria anchor themselves to teeth and
form plaque. These and other bacteria in plaque convert sugars to acids, which
eat away the tooth’s surface and lead to cavities.
Chocolate is not as bad for teeth as many other sweet foods. Scientists
believe that antibacterial agents in cocoa beans offset its high…
