Are you a chocolate lover or more aptly, a chocoholic? The Spa at the Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania has a unique service just for you. At this luxurious hotel, chocolate is not only eaten but it is an essential part of special spa treatments designed to melt your stress away.
The hotel is named after chocolate magnate and philanthropist Milton Hershey who finished only fourth grade but managed to build a sweet empire that conquered America and many parts of the world. Following a trip to Europe, Hershey built the hotel in 1930 which became a popular destination. His love of chocolate is reflected in The Spa which offers a variety of chocolate treatments like the Whipped Cocoa Bath and Chocolate Hydrotherapy.
In the former, the customer gets a foaming chocolate milk bath for $45. The 15-minute bath is said to soothe the senses and soften the skin. In Chocolate Hydrotherapy, essence of coca is used to help a person relax and relieve minor aches and pains. A 25-minute session costs $55.
The above spa treatments may sound ridiculous but scientists are slowly uncovering many health benefits of chocolate. At the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Boston, researchers reported that eating flavonoid-rich foods like chocolate decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
"One study found that a substance in cocoa helps the body process nitric oxide, a compound critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure. Another study showed that flavonols in cocoa prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries, and make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause clots," revealed Patti Schmidt in "Chocolate's Potential Health Benefits and Its Effect on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients."
Flavonoids come from plant metabolites and are most commonly known for antioxidant properties. To date, scientists have identified over 4,000 types on flavonoids. When it comes to chocolate, the cocoa bean contains large quantities of flavonoids. Other sources high in flavonoids include, red wine, tea, cranberries, peanuts, strawberries, apples and many other fruits and vegetables. Those flavonoids in chocolate are called flavonols.
At this time, no one knows if bathing in chocolate will produce the same effects. But The Spa at the Hotel Hershey has a simple solution for that: it offers chocolate treats to customers. With their service, you can bathe in chocolate and eat it too.
If you prefer relaxing in your own hot tub at the privacy of your own home, simply go online and choose the model you like depending on your budget.
