Choc of ages

A German confectioner has made the rather brave claim that it has developed chocolates capable of countering the ageing process. Felice chocolates have been created through a joint venture consisting of confectioner Adolf Andersen and the Munich-based Kentze Institute for Age Prevention Medicine.

Chocolate has always been associated with happiness and feelings of well-being - indeed many people profess to being addicted to the substance. Scientists have been examining the confection's happiness-inducing properties for years.

However, Felice chocolates co-developer Dr Michael Kentze has gone one further, claiming that the ingredients contained in the specially designed treats can even help make people look and feel younger.

The chocolates are made of dark chocolate, mango and soya milk. Dark chocolate contains high levels of phenylethylamine and polyphenol, which according to Dr Kentze encourage feelings of well-being. Polyphenol can also protect cells from damaging free radicals.

The manufacturers also insist that the enzymes contained in mango can help reduce inflammation, while soya milk contains a number of health benefits. These include reducing the risk of prostate cancer and easing menstrual pain.

Dr Kentze recommends eating one or two of the chocolates every day. However as many of us have found, one chocolate is never enough.