According to the Smithsonian Institution's journal, cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate, were used as payment during the Mayan and Aztec periods. Research shows that the beans were counterfeited by molding them out of clay.

This was found out by scientists from the US Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences. Cocoa helps to recover faster after sports due to the high protein and carbohydrate content in the drinks.

According to Mars, some soldiers in the 18th century received chocolate as pay for their service.