VOA慢速英语:Chocolate: The 'Food of the Gods'

短语讲解：

1. Researchers have known for some time that chocolate is good for the heart.

be good for 值得，有效; 利于
例句：Mild depression may be good for work.
轻微的沮丧可能对工作有好处。

2. They mixed the paste with water and flavorful spices to make an unsweetened chocolate drink.

mix with （使）与…混[结]合; 与（某人）交往
例句：He doesn't mix with the rabble here. 
他不与这里的下等人交往。 

3. Some experts believe the word for chocolate came from the Aztec word “xocolatl,” which means “bitter water” in the Nahuatl language.

come from 来自
例句： Ambient noise may come from any direction. 
外界噪声可以来自任意方向。 

4. After the Spanish soldiers defeated the Aztec empire, they were able to seize the supplies of cacao and send them home.

be able to 能，会; 能够
例句：How soon will china be able to clean up its air?
中国能在多短时间内将空气变清洁？

5. Spain later began planting cacao in its colonies in the Americas in order to supply the large demand for chocolate.

in order to 为了…
例句：They buy patents in order to sue infringers.
他们购买专利的目的就是为了起诉专利侵权者。

6. They are trying to make sure that cacao can be grown in a way that is fair to the farmers and safe for the environment.

make sure 把事情弄清楚，核实或查明某事物
例句：Make sure she eats nutritious food.
要确定她吃得很营养。

7. Both of these conditions can lead to plaque formation.

lead to 把…带到; 领到;导致
例句：A little exaggeration can lead to serious consequences.
一丝一毫的夸大都可能导致严重的后果。

8. Whatever the result of the study, chocolatier Steve Koumanelis is not worried about his business.

worry about 担忧，烦恼
例句：If not, don't worry about it.
如果没有，也别担心。