Abstract: Major components of the de-lactose milk and the de-lactose milk powder according to the present invention may comprise a protein essentially consisting of milk protein and fats essentially consisting of milk fat but not include lactose of more than 2%. The de-lactose milk and the de-lactose milk powder are characterized by having a structure where the fat is emulsified with the protein.

Abstract: A raw material cacao for chocolate may be improved and enriched in its aroma, thereby providing a chocolate whose consumption results in increased mental concentration, and which has an improved cacao aroma and reduced sweetness. The chocolate of the invention is produced by using the improved and enriched cacao nibs produced by an alkali-treatment of cacao beans. The process for producing the chocolate using cacao nibs of improved and enriched aroma comprises removing shells and germs from raw or semi-roasted cacao beans to prepare cacao nibs, adding an alkali thereto and stirring for reaction thereof with the alkali, subsequently drying and roasting the same and finally grinding and pulverizing the alkali-treated cacao nibs to prepare a cacao mass to be used for producing the chocolate in the conventional way. The alkali is preferably calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: A chocolate includes a glucide that comprises a hydrogenated isomaltulose and a sugar showing a hygroscopic property and an emulsifying agent that comprises a lecithin and any of lipophilic emulsifying agents except for the lecithin. The chocolate may further includes at least one selected from the group consisting of calcium salts, calcium containing materials, magnesium salts and magnesium containing materials.

Abstract: A process of preparing mineral-enriched cacao-nibs for improving the utilization of mineral, by adding an aqueous solution containing at least one mineral to cacao-nibs obtained by treating raw or semi-roasted cacao beans with a winnower to remove shells and germs, reacting the cacao-nibs with the added mineral under heat and pressure conditions, followed by drying and roasting the resulting cacao-nibs.

Abstract: There are disclosed substances having suppressing function for diseases relating to increase in cholesterol in animal and human bodies wherein they are obtained as an acid-insoluble fraction containing lignin which is a phenolic polymer compound extracted from wood material as a main component. The substances are a substance having suppressing function for increase in blood cholesterol, a substance having suppressing function for increase in blood pressure, and a substance having suppressing function for the cholesterol gallstone formation. There are also disclosed foods and drinks in which the above mentioned substances are contained having suppressing function for diseases relating to increase in cholesterol in animal and human bodies.