Good News On Valentine's Day.
Hey folks,
If you are a guy, and you did not get some Chocolate for your significant other, then you are most likely in the dog house and you do not have to worry about it. However, here is a way you can get out of it.
You could say, "Hey, I was going to get you some Chocolate, but I thought it was bad for you. However, I just read that it is actually GOOD for you and so I went out and got you this REALLY BIG Box of Chocolate, or Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, and this bottle of Red wine." It may or may not work. Outcome not guaranteed.
But let's look at Chocolate in our Health and Science Segment this week. According to Live Science - Sweet Science: The Health Benefits of Chocolate By Rachael Rettner – Thu Feb 11, 4:16 pm ET
Yet another health benefit has been linked to eating chocolate: It may decrease your risk of stroke, a new study suggests.
The analysis, which will be presented in April at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting, reviewed the results of three previous studies. One study with more than 44,000 participants found that those who ate a weekly serving of chocolate were 22 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate no chocolate.
That's good news.
The researchers caution however, that more studies are needed to confirm the link, and other factors besides chocolate consumption could be contributing to the decreased stroke risk. Also, one reviewed study showed no connection between stroke risk and chocolate consumption.
Still, the results add to a growing list of potential advantages to eating chocolate, including a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. But this doesn't mean you should gorge yourself on the candy this Valentine's day either.
Among the pros and cons of chocolate:
Chocolate can be good for you
Many previous studies have linked eating chocolate with health benefits, including:
A 2008 study found that people who ate a small amount of dark chocolate a day (about 6.7 grams) had lower levels of a protein that is associated with inflammation in their blood.
Other recent studies have found that blood platelets clump together more slowly in chocolate eaters. Clumping platelets can lead to the formation of blood clots, which in turn can cause a heart attack. Chocolate consumption may lower blood pressure, help prevent formation of artery plaques and improve blood flow, according to other research.
Eating chocolate may even help with math, or at least counting. A study reported in 2009 showed that people did a better job of counting backwards in groups of three after they had consumed a hot cocoa drink containing large amounts of a compound found in chocolate. These compounds, called flavonoids, which we'll get to later, may increase blood flow to the brain.
Chocolate may also have anti-cancer benefits because flavonoids may help reduce the cell damage that can spur tumor growth.
"More and more research is showing that [eating chocolate] is really more beneficial than we ever imagined," said Katherine Tallmadge a registered dietician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
However, she notes that the advantages you get still appear to be quite small. "It's not anything major, but it's still an advantage, and even slight advantages can make a difference for some people," she said.
Not all chocolate is created equal
Certain forms of chocolate are better for your health than others, and it comes down to one key component of the rich snack: flavonoids.
These compounds, which are found in the seeds of cacao plants (from which chocolate is made), are antioxidants that are thought to help protect cells against damage that might come from environmental toxins, or simply byproducts of vital processes in the body.
Hold on a second. Have you ever tried one of those RICH Candy Bars made of lit 70 percent Cacao? They really are EXTREMELY good. Yet, I can only eat about two bites at a time. WAY too rich for me. I do not have a huge sweet tooth. But you should try them sometime. They are a bit more expensive. Like $2.50 or $3.00 a bar, but they are worth it.
Consuming flavonoids has been linked to heart benefits. But since flavonoids are bitter, most commercial chocolate goes through processing steps that remove these compounds. Less processed, or darker chocolates, will tend to have higher levels of flavonoids. Your best choice in terms of healthiness is to go with natural, unsweetened cocoa powder, Tallmadge said.
"You can have mounds of it," because it is low in calories and full of flavonoids, Tallmadge told LiveScience.
Runners-up for health benefits are bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with a high cocoa percentage, she said. Unfortunately for milk-chocolate lovers, this type of chocolate has lower levels of flavonoids.
Now the BAD news.
Chocolate can be bad for you
The underlying health benefits don't give you an excuse to eat chocolate by the pound.
"Because we mainly eat it as a candy with sugar added, it's going to be high in calories and not necessarily good for you in high quantities, because it will take the place of more nutritious foods," Tallmadge said.
For instance, if you gorge on chocolate, you might skimp out on fruits and vegetables, which are also important for heart health and disease prevention.
Wait. That doesn't mean that it's bad for you. It means you have no control.
Tallmadge advises that people who want to eat chocolate limit themselves to one ounce per day. "Any more than that and you're probably going to take in too many calories for weight control," she said.
Other foods and beverages can also provide flavonoids, including citrus fruits, onions, green tea and red wine.
So just eat high Cacao Bars and enjoy, but do not over do it, or you may get fat. I'm glad the Experts are there to tell us these things. {Smile} Everything in moderation folks, everything in moderation. Happy Valentine's Day again to all of you out there. Just do not name it after me.
Peter
Sources:
Live Science - Sweet Science: The Health Benefits of Chocolate
Hey folks,
If you are a guy, and you did not get some Chocolate for your significant other, then you are most likely in the dog house and you do not have to worry about it. However, here is a way you can get out of it.You could say, "Hey, I was going to get you some Chocolate, but I thought it was bad for you. However, I just read that it is actually GOOD for you and so I went out and got you this REALLY BIG Box of Chocolate, or Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, and this bottle of Red wine." It may or may not work. Outcome not guaranteed.
But let's look at Chocolate in our Health and Science Segment this week. According to Live Science - Sweet Science: The Health Benefits of Chocolate By Rachael Rettner – Thu Feb 11, 4:16 pm ET
Yet another health benefit has been linked to eating chocolate: It may decrease your risk of stroke, a new study suggests.
The analysis, which will be presented in April at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting, reviewed the results of three previous studies. One study with more than 44,000 participants found that those who ate a weekly serving of chocolate were 22 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate no chocolate.
That's good news.
The researchers caution however, that more studies are needed to confirm the link, and other factors besides chocolate consumption could be contributing to the decreased stroke risk. Also, one reviewed study showed no connection between stroke risk and chocolate consumption.
Still, the results add to a growing list of potential advantages to eating chocolate, including a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. But this doesn't mean you should gorge yourself on the candy this Valentine's day either.
Among the pros and cons of chocolate:
Chocolate can be good for you
Many previous studies have linked eating chocolate with health benefits, including:
A 2008 study found that people who ate a small amount of dark chocolate a day (about 6.7 grams) had lower levels of a protein that is associated with inflammation in their blood.
Other recent studies have found that blood platelets clump together more slowly in chocolate eaters. Clumping platelets can lead to the formation of blood clots, which in turn can cause a heart attack. Chocolate consumption may lower blood pressure, help prevent formation of artery plaques and improve blood flow, according to other research.
Eating chocolate may even help with math, or at least counting. A study reported in 2009 showed that people did a better job of counting backwards in groups of three after they had consumed a hot cocoa drink containing large amounts of a compound found in chocolate. These compounds, called flavonoids, which we'll get to later, may increase blood flow to the brain.
Chocolate may also have anti-cancer benefits because flavonoids may help reduce the cell damage that can spur tumor growth.
"More and more research is showing that [eating chocolate] is really more beneficial than we ever imagined," said Katherine Tallmadge a registered dietician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
However, she notes that the advantages you get still appear to be quite small. "It's not anything major, but it's still an advantage, and even slight advantages can make a difference for some people," she said.
Not all chocolate is created equal
Certain forms of chocolate are better for your health than others, and it comes down to one key component of the rich snack: flavonoids.
These compounds, which are found in the seeds of cacao plants (from which chocolate is made), are antioxidants that are thought to help protect cells against damage that might come from environmental toxins, or simply byproducts of vital processes in the body.
Hold on a second. Have you ever tried one of those RICH Candy Bars made of lit 70 percent Cacao? They really are EXTREMELY good. Yet, I can only eat about two bites at a time. WAY too rich for me. I do not have a huge sweet tooth. But you should try them sometime. They are a bit more expensive. Like $2.50 or $3.00 a bar, but they are worth it.Consuming flavonoids has been linked to heart benefits. But since flavonoids are bitter, most commercial chocolate goes through processing steps that remove these compounds. Less processed, or darker chocolates, will tend to have higher levels of flavonoids. Your best choice in terms of healthiness is to go with natural, unsweetened cocoa powder, Tallmadge said.
"You can have mounds of it," because it is low in calories and full of flavonoids, Tallmadge told LiveScience.
Runners-up for health benefits are bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with a high cocoa percentage, she said. Unfortunately for milk-chocolate lovers, this type of chocolate has lower levels of flavonoids.
Now the BAD news.
Chocolate can be bad for you
The underlying health benefits don't give you an excuse to eat chocolate by the pound.
"Because we mainly eat it as a candy with sugar added, it's going to be high in calories and not necessarily good for you in high quantities, because it will take the place of more nutritious foods," Tallmadge said.
For instance, if you gorge on chocolate, you might skimp out on fruits and vegetables, which are also important for heart health and disease prevention.
Wait. That doesn't mean that it's bad for you. It means you have no control.
Tallmadge advises that people who want to eat chocolate limit themselves to one ounce per day. "Any more than that and you're probably going to take in too many calories for weight control," she said.
Other foods and beverages can also provide flavonoids, including citrus fruits, onions, green tea and red wine.
So just eat high Cacao Bars and enjoy, but do not over do it, or you may get fat. I'm glad the Experts are there to tell us these things. {Smile} Everything in moderation folks, everything in moderation. Happy Valentine's Day again to all of you out there. Just do not name it after me.
Peter
Sources:
Live Science - Sweet Science: The Health Benefits of Chocolate
5 comments:
"...most commercial chocolate goes through processing steps that remove these compounds. Less processed, or darker chocolates, will tend to have higher levels of flavonoids. Your best choice in terms of healthiness is to go with natural, unsweetened cocoa powder,..."
Really? This is true for all foods. The processed crap that is forced on us by the agriculture/chemical (most ag companies are also chemical companies) industry is the reason we have the highest rates of pancreatic, prostate, intestinal and stomach cancer as well as heart disease in the world. Wanna bring down health care costs? Regulate the ag industry. I can't believe people still have to be told about this stuff. Americans still amaze me with our lack of general knowledge about things like climate change, food processing, and the air-speed velocity of an African swallow. Undoubtedly the Palin crowd.
Eat dark chocolate. Drink organic, sulfite-free wine, eat local, organic, non-modified vegetables, grass (vegie) fed, hormone and antibiotic free animals (if you must) - and don't ever eat radiated meat (what the ef is up with that?), drink spring water (not reverse osmosis or purified). I could get really specific here and try to explain that your body needs a certain amount of water daily. Real water. Not this "smart water" crap or even hot tea with honey (the glucose in honey affects how your body uses the water).
OK. Too tangent? Sorry. Something as simple as water becomes so complex in today's "find anyway to make money" society. Just educate yourself. Treat your body like a temple. Eat dark chocolate. Help bring down health care costs.
{Laughing, banging hand on desk}
Hey Pete,
{Laughing} How are you today? Thank you for showing us that you are a TRUE Liberal.
Are you really saying that the only ones that over eat, get fat, or do not eat healthy are,,
"Americans still amaze me with our lack of general knowledge about things like climate change, food processing, and the air-speed velocity of an African swallow. Undoubtedly the Palin crowd."
{Laughing} Yeah, those ignorant hicks. Then you fall into the trap that IS the Socialistic agenda. "Wanna bring down health care costs? Regulate the ag industry."
{Sigh} You know Pete, we, I think, agree here, for the most part. Eating healthy and taken care of yourself is NOT partisan. Yet YOU turn even this into a Political statement. I love it.
If you look back in the archives, I think you will find we agree a lot on this issue. From Frankenfoods, to the hormones in Milk, ETC. I'm all for all natural Foods I'm all for eating less and moving more. I'm all for taken care of yourself. And uh, No. I do not feel it's just Libs that get fat. {Laughing} Thanks Pete, I needed that this morning.
Peter
Name ONE vegan who supports Palin.
Actually,
My wife.
Peter
A person who doesn't consume any animal product supports a person who allows (allowed) shooting wolves (dogs) from helicopters? That's about the most hypocrital thing I've EVER heard. Fits perfect.
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