Healthy Chocolate Delight

Expert confirms dark chocolate is good for your health

2009-12-15T06:34:00.000-08:00

Expert confirms dark chocolate is good for your health

OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH CHOCOLATE THROUGH THE YEARS

Chocolate gives you a healthy heart. Dark chocolate - especially that with more than 70 per cent cocoa - is full of antioxidants that can fight conditions which can lead to heart problems.

It can reduce your cholesterol. Dark chocolate cuts this by up to 10 per cent and reduces the risk of blood clots by up to 75 per cent.

Chocolate boosts brain power. Dark chocolate has been proven to improve your mental abilities.

You needn't pile on the pounds. Scientists say eating dark chocolate makes you feel fuller than milk chocolate.

Chocolate has a real feel-good factor. It's been proven that the serotonin in dark chocolate can lessen depression.

Eat chocolate and live longer. Scientists at Harvard University in the US found that eating dark chocolate three times a month could prolong a person's life by a year.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2009/10/15/expert-confirms-dark-chocolate-is-good-for-your-health-86908-21748580/

Now Come check out Our Healthy Chocolate Products they are different, they have retained the flavanoids in the cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no or little preservatives and little or no sugar added! This makes Our products even good/better for those that are Diabetic.

For more information on our Chocolate products and a Sweet Income Opportunity,
Come See Our Site: http://www.greathealthychocolate.com

Eat up: Chocolate may reduce risks of heart disease

2009-12-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

Eat up: Chocolate may reduce risks of heart disease

Chocolate anyone? A recently published study concluded that cocoa's increase of flavonoids can reduce the risk of heart disease. Dark chocolate has a higher concentration of flavonoids and could be better for you than milk chocolate.

Don’t pass on that candy bar just yet. A recent study by the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Barcelona says a diet high in dark chocolate can actually help ward off heart disease.

To ward off a potentially life-threatening condition that can require open-heart surgery, participants in a recent study were given 40 grams of concentrated cocoa powder, eight times more than the normal serving size found in a chocolate bar.

The study, recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, observed 42 volunteers who were considered high-risk for atherosclerosis. The heart disease, also known as Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease or ASVD, is the result of fatty-acid or cholesterol build-up in the arteries.

The dark chocolate helps boost the body’s level of flavonoids, a beneficial compound typically found in tea, vegetables and fruits that promote anti-inflammatory responses, according to the findings of the study. The boost in flavonoid numbers from the chocolate targets the hardened arterial walls and naturally promotes their elasticity.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=141505

Cacao the Healthy Bean with a Long History

2009-12-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Cacao the Healthy Bean with a Long History

The cacao bean has a much longer history than most people even realize, it can be traced back to ancient texts where it was used in ceremonies, for medicinal uses and in cooking. There have been archaeological digs that have recovered whole cacao beans and vessels, which were believed to be used for drinking cacao and can be dated as far back as Belize between 600- 400 B.C. This was such an important bean to some civilizations that it was used as currency.

This bean is found on trees that can reach between 15 and 26 feet in height and are botanically a part of the evergreen tree family Sterculiaceae and are native to tropical regions. The pod filled beans that grow on these trees are, what is used to make both cocoa and chocolate.

What has been learned today about the cacao bean that was not known by past civilizations that used the bean for medicinal purposes and as an editable is the health benefits. Today it is known that they contain nutrients that are important for good health, like Magnesium, Iron, Antioxidant Flavonoids, Vitamin C, Omega Fatty Acids and others.

One of the health benefits that chocolate lovers do not realize is its ability to act as an anti depressant, reduce heart attacks, and stroke. What the person eating chocolate realizes is the satisfying taste of this mixture that is made from cacao.

Research has proven that this is one of the most nutrient rich foods that is available, and while discussion goes on about other foods, and whether they are healthy or not the vitamin’s, antioxidants and omega fatty acids give chocolate a seal for good health.

Cacao has been linked with helping many different health problems, such as skin problems, weight loss, respiratory problems, and many other health troubles. The health benefits of consuming chocolate help to protect the cells from the damage that can be caused by free radicals. There is also evidence that this is brain food, since it contains properties like Serotonin, Dopamine, Anandamide, Typtophan, PEA and MAO inhibitors. These are properties that help increase mental awareness. It is reasons like these that many researchers believe that it is a super food, because the antioxidants found in these beans are approximately 500 times higher than those found in blueberries. There are also other chemical compounds, including Sulfur that is a mineral used by the body to promote healthy nails, and hair, but another use by the body is to detoxify the liver.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=20090929_chocolate_cocoa_beans.htm

Dark chocolate seen healthy for arteries

2009-12-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

Dark chocolate seen healthy for arteries

Eating dark chocolate may have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system in healthy people, the results of a new study suggest.

"Epidemiological studies suggest that high flavonoid intake confers a benefit on cardiovascular outcome," Dr. Charalambos Vlachopoulos, of Athens Medical School in Greece, and colleagues write in the American Journal of Hypertension.

They point out that the elasticity or stiffness of arteries "are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and are predictors of cardiovascular risk."

The researchers examined the effects of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on blood-vessel function in 17 young, healthy volunteers over a 3-hour period after they consumed 100 grams of a commercially available dark chocolate.

The investigators saw that an artery in the arm dilated significantly more in response to an increase in bloodflow. Chocolate consumption also led to a significant 7-percent decrease in aortic stiffness.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?182166

Chocolate: A healthy super food.

2009-12-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

Chocolate: A healthy super food.

Chocolate has been said to cause acne and tooth decay, and has a reputation for being a fattening, nutritionless food. On the other hand, chocolate is also known for being everything from an anti-depressant to an aphrodisiac. While there's still much we don't know about chocolate, recent research is helping us better understand how chocolate consumption affects our health. The good news is that most of the bad effects of eating chocolate are either overstated or entirely false.

Chocolate has not been proven to cause cavities or tooth decay. In fact, there are indications that the cocoa butter in the chocolate coats the teeth and may help protect them by preventing plaque from forming. The sugar in chocolate does contribute to cavities, but no more than the sugar in any other food.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/28331

Chocolate Toothpaste? Extract Of Tasty Treat Could Fight Tooth Decay

2009-11-30T06:55:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Toothpaste? Extract Of Tasty Treat Could Fight Tooth Decay

ScienceDaily — For a healthy smile brush between meals, floss regularly and eat plenty of chocolate?

According to Tulane University doctoral candidate Arman Sadeghpour, an extract of cocoa powder that occurs naturally in chocolates, teas, and other products might be an effective natural alternative to fluoride in toothpaste. In fact, his research revealed that the cocoa extract was even more effective than fluoride in fighting cavities.

The extract, a white crystalline powder whose chemical makeup is similar to caffeine, helps harden teeth enamel, making users less susceptible to tooth decay. The cocoa extract could offer the first major innovation to commercial toothpaste since manufacturers began adding fluoride to toothpaste in 1914.

The extract has been proven effective in the animal model, but it will probably be another two to four years before the product is approved for human use and available for sale, Sadeghpour says. But he has already created a prototype of peppermint flavored toothpaste with the cavity-fighting cocoa extract added, and his doctoral thesis research compared the extract side by side to fluoride on the enamel surface of human teeth.

Sadeghpour’s research group included scientists from Tulane, the University of New Orleans, and Louisiana State University’s School of Dentistry.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070518161238.htm

Dr. Norman Hollenberg's find, could be a chocolate lover's dream

2009-11-27T07:09:00.000-08:00

His find could be a chocolate lover's dream

Dr. Norman Hollenberg is exploring preliminary evidence that suggests a key ingredient in cocoa beans called flavanols may ease high blood pressure and improve circulation. (Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe)

By Pamela Ferdinand, Globe Correspondent

Remember Woody Allen's character in the 1973 film "Sleeper," who wakes up 200 years in the future to find that steak, cream pies, and hot fudge are considered healthy? Nutritionists are not quite there yet, but Dr. Norman Hollenberg is raising hopes that the secret elixir of life may have less to do with wheat germ and more with cocoa.

Just to be clear, Hollenberg, a Harvard Medical School professor and director of Brigham and Women's Hospital physiologic research division, is not advocating a diet of candy bars and cookies. He instead is exploring preliminary evidence that suggests a key ingredient in natural cocoa beans -- antioxidants called "flavanols" -- eases high blood pressure and improves circulation.

Flavanols, also present in other foods such as onions, tea, and red wine, might protect us from major illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease, says Hollenberg. Recent studies, for instance, have shown that flavanols enhance brain blood flow and improve insulin sensitivity by boosting the body's nitric oxide levels and relaxing blood vessels.

"If this proves out, then this is the most important [finding] in the history of medicine," he said. And he isn't joking.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/fitness/articles/2007/04/30/his_find_could_be_a_chocolate_lovers_dream/

In the beginning

2009-11-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

Here's A Little Humour

Scott Wickstein (Adelaide, Australia) Health - Humour

In the beginning God covered the earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, with green, yellow and red vegetables of all kinds so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then Satan created Dairy Ice Cream and Magnums. And Satan said, "You want hot fudge with that?
And Man said, "Yes!" And Woman said, "I'll have one too with chocolate chips".
And lo, they gained 10 pounds.

And God created the healthy yoghurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair.
Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat and sugar from the cane and combined them.
And Woman went from size 12 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad".
And Satan presented Blue Cheese dressing and garlic croutons on the side.
And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them".
And Satan brought forth deep fried coconut king prawns, butter-dipped lobster chunks and chicken fried steak, so big it needed its own platter.
And Man's cholesterol went through the roof.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with potassium and good nutrition.
Then Satan peeled off the healthy skin and sliced the starchy centre into chips and deep fried them in animal fats adding copious quantities of salt.
And Man put on more pounds.

God then brought forth running shoes so that his Children might lose those extra pounds.
And Satan came forth with cable T.V. with remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels.
And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretch jogging suits.

Then God gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite.
And Satan created McDonalds and the 99p double cheeseburger.
Then Satan said, "You want fries with that?" and Man replied, "Yes, and super size 'em".
And Satan said, "It is good."

And Man and Woman went into cardiac arrest.
God sighed. And created quadruple by-pass surgery.
And then Satan chuckled, and created the National Health Service.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.samizdata.net/blog/archives/2007/05/in_the_beginnin.html

My favorite treat can be healthy, too

2009-11-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

My favorite treat can be healthy, too

Chocolate has become even more popular in recent months as evidence of its health benefits have surfaced. For anyone who doesn’t fully understand how chocolate can be healthful, here are some recent findings taken from the Web site of Chicago’s Field Museum.

Osaka University in Japan recently found that cacao (the seeds from which chocolate is made) contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. “However, most mass-produced chocolate contains sugar, which is known to cause tooth decay and probably counteracts the benefits of these agents,” the Web site says.

A study by the Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the U.S. Naval Academy indicates that eating chocolate does not affect the occurrence of acne.

Chocolate contains a mild mood-elevating chemical — the same chemical the brain produces when we feel happy or “in love.”

As for heart health benefits, chocolate contains flavanoids, which are naturally-occurring compounds found in plant-based foods. Flavanoids contain antioxidants, which “are believed to help the body’s cells resist damage caused by free radicals,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. “When the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, free radical damage ensues, leading to increases in LDL-cholesterol oxidation and plaque formation on arterial walls.”

To get the most benefit out of your chocolate consumption, experts say it’s best to consume small amounts of dark chocolate, without any added ingredients, like nuts, fruit or fillings. Milk chocolate isn’t as good for you because it is often highly processed, and processing removes much of the flavanoid benefits.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=61ef54ea06df7d97

Cocoa loco

2009-11-16T06:05:00.000-08:00

You feel guilty when you sneak treats from the cupboard, but the right kind can be healthy. Really

Having scoffed all your Easter chocolate, you may be feeling bad, but not all chocolate is equal. If you're a fan of dark chocolate and cocoa, then you could actually be health-savvy.

Dark chocolate is naturally rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals. Cocoa contains both antioxidants and anti-coagulants, which is a natural property of aspirin, and they help prevent blood clots. Cocoa butter in chocolate acts like olive oil, as it contains a number of essential oils good for strengthening the bones, hair, nails, and skin. To obtain any health benefit from chocolate, you must find some that is at least 70% cocoa.

Lower blood pressure and control of blood sugar levels A study by the University of L'Aguila in Italy found that eating 100g of dark chocolate every day lowered blood pressure and evened blood sugar levels. Scientists think this is the flavanol in dark chocolate, which mediates nitric oxide production, a compound necessary for healthy blood flow. Flavanols are antioxidants that repair damage and protect against toxins, counteracting free radicals that lead to cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow have found that dark chocolate can boost blood antioxidant levels by a huge 20%. Milk chocolate doesn't have the same benefits, as its cocoa content has been diluted with bad fats and sugars, and the milk is thought to block absorption of any existing protective antioxidants. A study from the Journal of Hypertension found that hypertensive people who ate 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day for two weeks saw their blood pressure drop significantly

Lower cholesterol Dark chocolate has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol by up to 10%, according to a Tufts University study. It also has oleic acid, a healthy fat that has cardiovascular, cancer-fighting, and skin boosting properties.

Pain relief and reduced anxiety Dark chocolate's theobromine, caffeine, tyramine and phenylethylamine (PEA) stimulate the production of serotonin and endorphins, the body's natural opiates.

Improved brain function Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found improved brain performance and blood flow in female subjects who were given a cocoa drink high in flavanols.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.heraldscotland.com/cocoa-loco-1.836380

Now Come check out Our Healthy Chocolate Products they are different, they have retained the flavanoils in the cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no or little preservatives and little or no sugar added! This makes Our products even good for those that are Diabetic.

For more information on our Chocolate products and a Sweet Income Opportunity,
Come See Our Site: http://www.greathealthychocolate.com

Chocolate takes another healthy turn

2009-11-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

Chocolate takes another healthy turn

Chocolate – that traditional antidote for broken hearts – now has another good-health use.

Foods rich in cocoa appear to reduce blood pressure, according to researchers at the University Hospital of Cologne, in Germany.

Testing the hypothesis that plant compounds known as polyphenols found in cocoa and tea have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, researchers analyzed studies on cocoa.

Their analysis dug into five studies on both tea and cocoa published between 1966 and 2006.

The report, which appears in the April issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that chocolate lowered systolic blood pressure by about 4.7 points on average and diastolic pressure by about 2.8 points.

In short, a healthful daily dose of chocolate could reduce blood pressure of 140/80 to about 135/77.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.thestar.com/living/health/article/205165

Now Come check out Our Healthy Dark Chocolate Products they are different, they have retained the flavonoids in the cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no or little preservatives and little or no sugar added! This makes Our products even good for those that are Diabetic.

For more information on our Chocolate products and a Sweet Income Opportunity,
Come See Our Site: http://www.greathealthychocolate.com

'Healthy' takes top spot in food trends

2009-11-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

What do pomegranate juice, dark chocolate and beta-carotene drinks have in common? They're all among the hottest food trends of 2007 -- healthy, anti-oxidant items to be showcased at a national grocery industry convention in Vancouver this weekend.

"The biggest trend out there is better-for-you products," Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers president John Scott said in an interview. "People are really reading labels now, so they know what's in a product and they know what they want."

FIVE TOP FOOD TRENDS

- Dark chocolate -- including dark hot chocolate mix, dark chocolate sticks and non-dairy rice chocolate bars

- Small sizes -- snacks like cheese, chocolate and cookies packaged in 100-calorie portions.

- Pomegranate -- including juices, cereals and waffles.

- Specialty beverages -- energy drinks, coffee drinks and antioxidant juices.

- Organic -- snacks, spices, cooking sauces and chutneys.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=e7906bfa-dfb2-4318-9537-586030e9931e&k=51893

Sweet news ... chocolate can be good for you!

2009-11-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

By Katie Baldwin

Easter. A time for religion, families - and chocolate. As we prepare to tuck into our Easter eggs, Health Reporter Katie Baldwin reports on a new way to work out to work off all those extra calories, as well as a way to enjoy chocolate without eating it

EIGHTY million chocolate Easter eggs are expected to be scoffed in the UK over the next few weeks.

Chocolate is the original naughty-but-nice food. Though it's loved by millions of chocoholics, too much of the sweet stuff can be bad for your health contributing to conditions like obesity and diabetes.

But now scientists are beginning to find out there are some benefits to eating chocolate.

Research has suggested that it might help keep blood pressure down and the heart healthy.

For the complete article on this, goto:http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/features/Sweet-news--chocolate-can.2224768.jp

Sweet Science: New report reaffirms cocoa is heart-healthy

2009-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Anyone looking for an excuse to order a chocolatey dessert will find one in new research showing cocoa can boost artery function.

In a small study, Yale University researchers found that people who ate chocolate showed increased arterial blood flow, with marginally better results for people who ate unsweetened chocolate as compared with those who had the sweetened form.

"Chocolate contains flavenoids that are antioxidant molecules that may prevent damage in the arteries," said Dr. Chris Cannon, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, who was not involved in the study.

The researchers gave participants eight ounces of chocolate and measured blood flow through an artery in the upper arm. They found it improved significantly in those who ate chocolate, by 2.4 percent among those who had the unsweetened chocolate and 1.5 percent in those who ate the sweetened form. Researchers announced the findings at the American College of Cardiology Conference in New Orleans.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=5152678

Dark Chocolate May Lower Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease

2009-11-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

If you eat some dark chocolate now-and-again you could well be lowering your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, say researchers at Yale Prevention Research Center, Connecticut, USA. It seems dark chocolate contains flavonoids which boost the function of endothelial cells in the lining of blood vessels.

Flavonoids, antioxidant compounds, can also be found in several fruits and vegetables, some wines as well as several teas. The higher your flavonoid intake, the lower you chances are of developing cardiovascular disease, say researchers.

In this latest study researchers looked at 45 people with a body mass index (BMI) of between 25 and 35. They were all healthy. If a person's BMI is over 30 he/she is probably obese, a BMI of over 25 indicates the person is probably overweight.

The participants were divided into three groups:

1. This group consumed eight ounces of cocoa per day - without sugar for six weeks
2. This group consumed eight ounces of cocoa per day - with sugar for six weeks
3. This group consumed a placebo (which was no cocoa) for six weeks

All participants had to undergo endothelial function tests during the six-week period. By using high frequency ultrasound, the researchers were able to measure how well the brachial artery could relax and expand, depending on the body's desired blood flow - the test is called FMD (flow mediated dilation).

This is how the three groups fared:

1. Cocoa, no sugar group. FMD improved 2.4%
2. Cocoa with sugar group, FMD improved 1.5 %
3. Place group., FMD worsened 0.8%.

Team member, Dr. Valentine Yanchou Njike, said "In this group of healthy adults with BMI between 25 and 35 kg/m2, dark chocolate ingestion over a short period of time was shown to significantly improve endothelial function, leading our team to believe that greater benefit may be seen through a long-term, randomized clinical trial. While the findings from this study do not suggest that people should start eating more chocolate as part of their daily routine, it does suggest that we pay more attention to how dark chocolate and other flavonoid-rich foods might offer cardiovascular benefits."

These findings are to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans next Tuesday, 27th March.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/66082.php

Chocolate boosts blood vessel function

2009-10-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Chocoholics have been given further reason to rejoice when a small clinical study showed that dark chocolate improves the function of blood vessels.

"In this sample of healthy adults, dark chocolate ingestion over a short period of time was shown to significantly improve (blood vessel) function," said Dr Valentine Yanchou Njike of Yale Prevention Research Center, a co-investigator of the study.

The results, presented at the annual American College of Cardiology scientific meeting in New Orleans, add to mounting evidence of the health benefits of dark chocolate.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/1035796

Chocolate is Good

2009-10-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

Chocolate is Good

I found another excuse to eat EVEN more chocolate,
This website, which tells that:

Cocoa is known to be rich in flavanols like epicatechin, which is believed to be the active ingredient for the health benefits associated with drinking the popular beverage.

Norman Hollenberg, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School was cited as telling Chemistry & Industry that epicatechin is so important that it should be considered a vitamin, Marina Murphy reports in the magazine of the Society of Chemical Industry.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://compier.blogspot.com/2007/03/chocolate-is-good.html

Flavonoid-rich cocoa found healthy for the brain

2009-10-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

By studying differences in people living on and off the group of islands called Kuna, researchers found that people who regularly drank cocoa rich in flavonoids had less chance of having dementia, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School (Boston, Massachusetts, United States) found that native people living on the island group Kuna, off the Caribbean coast of Panama in Central America, did not have high blood pressure when young and old. However, if these natives left their homeland for the Central American mainland, their blood pressure went up.

After about fifteen years of research to find a cause for this difference, the researchers found that Kuna natives drink several cups of cocoa each day. However, if they move away from Kuna, then that habit did not continue or did not continue in exactly the same way.

The researchers eventually found the crucial link. They discovered that cocoa drank by Kuna natives is very high in the compounds called flavonids, while the cocoa drank on the mainland is not rich in flavonids.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/10306/1066/

Dark Chocolate Has Health Benefits Not Seen in Other Varieties

2009-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Dark Chocolate Has Health Benefits Not Seen in Other Varieties

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure

Dark chocolate -- not white chocolate -- lowers high blood pressure, say Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany. Their report appears in the Aug. 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate -- but not milk chocolate or dark chocolate eaten with milk -- is a potent antioxidant, report Mauro Serafini, PhD, of Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome, and colleagues. Their report appears in the Aug. 28 issue of Nature. Antioxidants gobble up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments.

"Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate ... and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate."

The Studies

Taubert's team signed up six men and seven women aged 55-64. All had just been diagnosed with mild high blood pressure -- on average, systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 153 and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of 84.

Every day for two weeks, they ate a 100-gram candy bar and were asked to balance its 480 calories by not eating other foods similar in nutrients and calories. Half the patients got dark chocolate and half got white chocolate.

Those who ate dark chocolate had a significant drop in blood pressure (by an average of 5 points for systolic and an average of 2 points for diastolic blood pressure). Those who ate white chocolate did not.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate

Healthy Chocolate?

2009-10-19T07:18:00.000-07:00

It's great news that research found a food that lowers blood pressure and is healthy for the heart and maybe more. The problem is that the chocolate most Americans consume is not the same kind. The more popular kinds of chocolate have little or no positive effect on your health. Only certain chocolate may be healthy.

Dark chocolate is the chocolate that was found to have positive effects on blood pressure. Participants given dark, milk, or white chocolate every day were evaluated in different studies. It turns out that dark chocolate contains important antioxidants called flavonods. These natural compounds from the cocoa bean are known to increase nitric oxide, reduce platelet aggregation, and inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Cocoa can decrease blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and increase your insulin sensitivity. Milk and white chocolate are low in these antioxidants and do not have the same effect.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.articlealley.com/article_133162_23.html

Chocolate - Between An Aphrodisiac or Better Sex

2009-10-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

Chocolate - Between An Aphrodisiac or Better Sex

The saying may go, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach", but what about women? It is a long standing tradition to present a woman with a box of chocolate as a romantic gesture. Is it simply because women love chocolate or does the root of this tradition go deeper?

What is An Aphrodisiac?

An aphrodisiac is reputed to "put you in the mood for love" and the name comes from the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite. It is possible that the aphrodisiacal qualities come from our own mindset and expectations. First of all, we get a certain amount of pleasure from consuming chocolate. For one, the melting point of chocolate is slightly below human body temperature so it melts in your mouth. That in itself is a stimulating experience but what about the substances found in chocolate? And what are the roots of chocolate as an aphrodisiac in history? Those are a lot of useful information but as you would expect, there are conflicting arguments on whether or not it is an aphrodisiac.

Chocolate is An Aphrodisiac in History

One report said that the Aztecs considered all chocolate an aphrodisiac. Because of this, all foods made with chocolate were strictly forbidden to women. However, another report stated that the Aztecs and Mayans were the first to recognize the potency of this food, celebrating the harvest with festivals of wild orgies. Both could be true (and may be) but it seems to me that if they were having wild orgies, they would want the women to eat it. From the time the first coca beans were harvested by the Mayans, there has been the belief that chocolate has a euphoric impact on the body’s senses. The conquistadores saw the Emperor Montezuma of the Aztecs consuming a large quantity of cocoa in the form of a beverage called chocolatl before entering his harem. May be, the Aztecs apparently considered it an aphrodisiac.The invading Spaniards spread the Emperor’s belief that cocoa was an aphrodisiac and brought it to Europe. This belief was also shared by one of history’s most famous lovers, Giacomo Casanova.

There are people throughout history who also believed in the stimulating qualities of chocolate. In 1624 Johan Franciscus Rauch, a professor in Vienna, condemned chocolate as an inflamer of passions and urged monks not to drink it as he wanted to ban it in the monasteries. It is said that Madame du Barry, courtesan and mistress of Louis XV, always served her lovers a cup of chocolat before they were let in to her bedroom, and that the great lover and alchemist Casanova, who drank his cioccolata at Cafe Florian in Venice, considered chocolate more stimulating than champagne and called it the "elixir of love". Montezuma supposedly drank a cup of chocolate before entering his harem.

Since then, the use of chocolate as part of the mating ritual has been firmly established. More recently it has been shown that not only does chocolate increase the sexual appetite but also produces a sense of elation similar to an orgasm.

Phenylethylamine

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring amino-acid which some consider to have aphrodisiacal effects and is even said to be able to "cure" hangovers. Phenylethylamine is a substance which is released naturally in the human body when you're in love. P phenyl-ethylamine, which is known to stimulate the release of dopamine into the pleasure centers commonly associated with an orgasm.

Dopamine and Serotonin

Other stimulants present in chocolate are dopamine and serotonin, which alleviate pain and encourage a good mood. Serotonin, a chemical naturally produced by the brain, which is known to reduce anxiety and produces feelings of pleasure in a similar way to sunlight. Serotonin is most commonly associated with the effects of marijuana or getting ‘stoned’ (you would have to eat 25lbs of dark chocolate at once to achieve the same effect).

Addition

In addition to this scientific evidence, a great deal of behavioral research has been done to study the sexual behavior of women who eat a lot of chocolate and those who don’t. The conclusion of this is that women who consume large quantities of chocolate have more satisfying sex lives. However the reverse correlation could also be assumed where women with satisfying sex lives tend to eat more chocolate.

Despite the fact that the relationship between sex and chocolate can’t be proven with 100% certainty, the scientific evidence combined with behavioral studies provides a compelling argument for cocoa’s impact on our sexual drive - it is convincing enough for chocolate to have become a part of the daily diet!

For the complete article on this, goto: http://hippoinspiro.blogspot.com/2007/02/chocolate-between-aphrodisiac-or-better.html

Heart Healthy Chocolate

2009-10-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Most people get a rush of good feelings when they eat a little chocolate. There are studies which show dark chocolate is a heart healthy food. Now as News On 6’s Rick Wells reports, a new study indicates chocolate can improve blood flow to the brain and perhaps improve learning and memory.

Several ladies are enjoying a little chocolate. “We are solving the world's problems while eating chocolate." Sounds like they might be making some progress. We have heard in recent years about research, which suggests that chocolate, particularly dark chocolate is heart healthy.

New research suggests the same compounds, called flavanols, which help chocolate help the heart, also make it good brain food. "Now we are learning that flavanol rich cocoa may improve learning and memory by improving or maintaining healthy brain function," Harold Schmitz Ph.D., chief science officer at Mars, Inc. Well, that's good news for chocolate lovers. “This is my blend which I've created," says Steven Howard. He owns KoKoa. Howard is a chocolate chef, a choclatier.

Howard's looked at this new study and says the higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate the better. "The darker the chocolate, at least 70 percent and above, the healthier it is." The study says those flavanols in the cocoa help produce a gas, which relaxes blood vessel, walls and increases blood flow and oxygen in the brain.

For the complete artele on this, goto: http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=120959

New benefits found in chocolate

2009-10-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

New benefits found in chocolate

SAN FRANCISCO - As if people needed another excuse to like chocolate, new studies suggest a specially formulated type of cocoa may boost brain function and delay decline as people age, researchers said on Sunday.

A farmer holds cocoa beans.

Scientists, speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco, presented results from early studies testing the effects on the brain of flavanols, an ingredient found in cocoa.
The research, the studies suggest that flavanols increase blood flow to the brain and may hold promise for treating some vascular impairments.

The latest research also suggests benefits for the brain.

Ian Macdonald of Britain's University of Nottingham Medical School, conducted a small brain imaging study on young, healthy women to see whether flavanol-rich cocoa helped boost cognitive function during challenging mental tasks.

He believes more research might show that increased blood flow could benefit older adults and those who have cognitive impairments, such as fatigue or even mini-strokes.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-02/19/content_811776.htm

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News For Dark Chocolate Lovers

2009-10-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

Scientist at Harvard University School of Public Health recently examined 136 studies on cocoa, the foundation for chocolate. They discovered it does seem to boost heart health. “Studies have shown heart benefits from increased blood flow, less platelet stickiness and clotting, and improved cholesterol,” says Mary B. Engler, PhD, director of the Cardiovascular and Genomics Graduate Program at University of California. These benefits are the result of cocoa’s antioxidant chemicals known as flavonoids, which seem to prevent both cell damage and inflammation.

For the complete artele on this, goto: http://www.smithmountainhomes.com/news/2007/02/news-for-dark-chocolate-lovers-just-in-time-for-valentines-day/

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Acai + chocolate = antioxidant powerhouse

2009-10-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

An Antioxidant Powerhouse By Vanessa Herb

"Go ahead...indulge yourself! Medical science has cooked up sweet reasons to eat chocolate (as long as it is dark chocolate)!"

Sound familiar? This is a popular headline today. If you have tuned into television or read magazines, you've seen it too. A simple Google search of dark chocolate and antioxidants reveals mountains of new evidence on the health benefits of eating dark chocolate. While health benefits have been attributed to chocolate throughout its 3500 year history dating back to Olmec Indians in 1500 B.C., the full extent of its contribution to human health is only now being brought to light through modern technology and research.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://wellpast50.blogs.com/well_past_50/2007/01/acai_chocolate_.html

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Dark chocolate beats fatigue, study

2006-12-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

I found this article on eating Dark Chocolate beats fatigue. You will find a link to the full article below.

By Catherine Boal

20/12/2006 - Further evidence of the health benefits of chocolate has come to light in a new study – giving manufacturers yet another route into the functional food niche.

Eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day can help combat the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), according to UK researchers.

Dark chocolate has been frequently touted as a ‘healthy' indulgence thanks to its high levels of polyphenols and flavanols which work to protect the body from cell damage. Sales of the product have risen as a result of its new health-conscious image and market analysts Leatherhead International say they now make up 19 per cent of global chocolate sales.

In the study, the results of which are available on the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust website, researchers fed a group of adults 45g of specially formulated dark chocolate – containing 85 per cent cocoa and rich in polyphenols – every day for eight weeks.

The participants reported feeling less fatigued after eating the chocolate and complained of greater tiredness when fed a placebo. None of those who took part reported any weight gain as a result of the study.

Researchers believe chocolate enhances the action of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, responsible for regulating mood and sleep, which could explain why the product can alleviate CFS.

Consultant endocrinologist at the NHS Trust, Professor Steve Atkin said: “No one has examined the effects of chocolate on CFS before and so this is a very interesting and exciting result for us.”

“We now hope to look at some of the other potential benefits of chocolate which is high in these natural chemicals.”

For the complete artele on this, goto: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=72894-barry-callebaut-mars-dark-chocolate

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6 Reasons To Eat Dark Chocolate

2006-12-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

I found this article on 6 reasons to eating Dark Chocolate. You will find a link to the full article below.

6 Reasons To Eat Dark, Organic Chocolate

Not many of us need a reason to eat chocolate, but here are the six reasons to only eat dark, organic chocolate:

Unless chocolate is organic it contains pesticide residue. Here is what those FDA approved levels of residues do to you:

• Glyphosate — effects on digestive system tissue, genetic damage, effects on reproduction, carcinogenicity

• Hydrogen Cyanide — acute toxicity, thyroid effects, nerve degeneration

• Naled — central nervous system disruption; headaches, nausea and diarrhea

• Pyrethrins — carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity

• Methyl Bromide — prostate cancer, kidney and liver effects, neurological effects

Dark chocolate has been proven to improve blood pressure.

Dark chocolate can improve glucose metabolism/diabetic control.

Dark chocolate contains high levels of naturally occurring plant flavonoids called polyphenols. These flavonoids are antioxidants.

Another type of polyphenol found in chocolate prevents fat-like substances in our bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging arteries, making blood platelets less sticky to each other.

The fat in chocolate is comprised of heart healthy oleic acid, stearic acid (which neither raises nor lowers cholesterol) and palmitic acid, which raise cholesterol. (only 1/3 of the fat raises cholesterol!)

The above benefits are negated when you eat milk chocolate. The proteins in milk bind antioxidants and make them less available to be absorbed. Also, most light colored chocolates contain large amounts of sugar, which can adversely affect the immune system. When cocoa is processed into your favorite chocolate products, it goes through several steps to reduce its naturally pungent taste. Flavonoids (polyphenols) provide this pungent taste. The more chocolate is processed (such as fermentation, alkalizing, roasting), the more flavonoids are lost. Remember, those are antioxidants being processed away!

Research done on an isolated island showed inhabitants rarely had high blood pressure, even though they drank about five cups of cocoa each day and incorporated it into many of their recipes. Their cocoa though was not sprayed with pesticides, was not processed and did not have added milk, sugar or soy lecithin as an emulsifier.

That chewy, caramel-marshmallow, nut-covered milk chocolate bar that you feel guilty about has no health benefits and can only add to health problems. If you want to have your chocolate and eat it too, then choose dark, organic chocolate. A square of dark organic chocolate a day just may help keep the doctor away. Now, that’s the best reason of all!

For the complete artele on this, goto: http://thegreenqueencorner.com/?p=17

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The Good, the Bad and the Skinny on Chocolate

2006-12-11T20:01:00.000-08:00

I found this article on eating Dark Chocolate for better health. You will find a link to the full article below.

The Good, the Bad and the Skinny on Chocolate

It’s a temptation that’s been irresistible to many for ages. Smooth, rich, creamy, sweet chocolate. Once sinful and bad for our diet, researchers soon began making claims that chocolate was actually healthy. Then to our amazement they discovered that the benefits were not as great as they had claimed yet recently studies have shown that once again chocolate is healthy, this time dark chocolate. Now what was once simple chocolate has grown. Today manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon and taken advantage of our obsession for the sweet stuff by offering everything from organic chocolate to chocolate beauty products.

So what exactly is the deal? Is chocolate good for us or not? Despite all of the claims there are actually mixed feelings as to whether the sinful treat is healthy or not.

It’s actually the cocoa and not chocolate itself that may have some benefits after all. However in order to reap those benefits one would have to consume pure cocoa and not the remaining ingredients found in chocolate. So unless you’re willing to give up your chocolate and just savor pure cocoa you might want to read on.

So how does chocolate affect our skin? While it was once thought that chocolate triggers acne, researchers are now finding that it doesn’t. But, while chocolate might not cause acne the sugar in chocolate can certainly aggravate it and making things worse. Sugar can also cause skin to look dull and wrinkled in time since it destroys the flexibility and density of the collagen in our skin. To resolve this, it’s best to eat a sensible well-balanced diet and enjoy sugary treats in moderation. In the mean time if you’ve found yourself with a skin eruption you could try laying off the sweet stuff for a while and clearing up the problem with an over-the-counter acne product.

There have been studies that has shown that the cocoa butter found in cocoa beans soften and moisturizes skin while leaving your skin smelling wondrously delicious and manufacturers rolling in the big bucks. As wonderful and calorie free as this is however, if you don’t want to smell over exaggeratingly sweet be sure to look for products that contains pure raw cocoa butter only since there are many chocolate scented fragrance oils that can be overpowering.

Studies have also shown that the cocoa beans in dark chocolate can actually protect skin against ultra-violet radiation. As well as protection against the sun, the cocoa found in dark chocolate may also have strong anti-oxidant properties that could prevent visible signs of aging.

Chocolate may also have medicinal benefits as well or rather the cocoa in chocolate anyway. Cocoa beans, cocoa bark and cocoa butter have been used in treating burns, cuts and even some skin irritations.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.carefair.com/Nutrition/The_Good_the_Bad_the_Skinny_1257.html

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Dark Chocolate For Better Sex

2006-12-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

I found this article on eating Dark Chocolate for better sex. You will find a link to the full article below.

Eating a well balanced diet not only keeps you healthy and disease-free, it also affects your performance in bed. What you eat affects your libido and can have a direct impact on your sex life. Although eating a well balanced diet is essential for better sex, there are some foods that are known to drive your sex hormones and boost your performance in bed. Have a look at these foods:

Chocolate: Apart from being tasty, Chocolate is one food you can never miss out when you are thinking about better sex. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which stimulates the transmission and conduction of nerve impulses. They also create a feeling of satisfaction. You can have dark chocolate or cocoa to get boost your libido.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.drgranny.com/?p=290

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Dark chocolate 'wards off heart disease'

2006-12-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

I found this article on a study of Dark Chocolate properties that wards off Heart Disease. You will find a link to the full article below.

A spoonful or two of chocolate is finally confirmed by science to have substantial health benefits, giving people an excuse to eat the formerly naughty substance.

Researchers at John Hopkins University found that dark chocolate actually has properties that wards off heart disease after some subjects refused to give up the substance during another study.

Dark chocolate has been known for years to aid in lowering blood pressure, but now it is found that it lowers blood clumping incidence and slowing the rate platelets clot in narrow blood vessels.

Professor Diane Becker, who led the research team, said: "Eating a little bit of chocolate or having a drink of hot cocoa as part of a regular diet is probably good for personal health, so long as people don't eat too much of it, and too much of the kind with lots of butter and sugar."

They didn't come by the results intentionally, instead using the 'reject' study group that was made up of the 139 people who refused to give up forbidden foods like chocolate for a study on Aspirin responsiveness to blood clots.

"What these chocolate 'offenders' taught us is that the chemical in cocoa beans has a biochemical effect similar to aspirin in reducing platelet clumping, which can be fatal if a clot forms and blocks a blood vessel, causing a heart attack," Dr Becker explained.

Science had never published a biochemical analysis to explain the health benefits of eating dark chocolate before, making this a very important breakthrough for all the chocoholics of the world.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.healthydirect.co.uk/pages/cm/cm_news.asp?newsID=17966740&mode=FULL

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Chocolate Has Antithrombotic Effects Similar to Aspirin

2006-11-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

I found this article on a study of Chocolate and how it works like Aspirin to help slow blood clotting time. You will find a link to the full article below.

Martha Kerr

November 17, 2006 (Chicago) — Subjects enrolled in the Genetic Study of Aspirin Responsiveness (GeneSTAR) inadvertently helped Johns Hopkins University researchers measure chocolate's inhibition of platelet function and show that eating chocolate slows clotting time. The findings may explain how chocolate and cocoa-containing foods exert a cardioprotective effect.

Subjects in the GeneSTAR study were instructed to exercise, stop smoking, and avoid food and drink known to contain flavenoids, which interfere with platelet activity. These foods include grapefruit, caffeine-containing substances, wine, and chocolate and other cocoa-containing substances.

A group of 139 healthy individuals did not eliminate chocolate from their diet.

Senior investigator Nauder Faraday, MD, associate professor of anesthesia and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, told Medscape that "chocolate was just one of those things this group couldn't give up."

The subjects were ejected from GeneSTAR proper and were not randomized in the aspirin assessment phase of the study. But Dr. Faraday and colleagues took advantage of the subjects' noncompliance to assess chocolate's previously demonstrated role in cardiovascular risk reduction, using the same platelet function analyzer test employed in the GeneSTAR study.

The investigators measured agonist-induced platelet activation in the presence of shear and calculated time to closure in the system by a platelet plug. Platelet activation was also assessed on urinary excretion.

Chocolate consumption caused a significant increase in time to closure, but remained within the normal range, the investigators announced here this week at the American Heart Association 2006 Scientific Sessions.

"Chocolate, even in small amounts, was an independent factor in inhibition of platelet activation," Dr. Naraday said. It extended closure time, regardless of age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol level, fibrinogen levels, or von Willebrand factor.

"The magnitude of the effect was quite small," Dr. Naraday emphasized. Chocolate had the same type of effect as aspirin, but by a factor of 5 to 10 times less, according to the assay used in the GeneSTAR study, he said.

Elliott Antman, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard University in Cambridge, Masssachusetts, told Medscape that he found the results intriguing. "It might help explain the tremendous variability among patients to platelet inhibition, particularly as seen in response to aspirin."

Dr. Naraday pointed out that "any time you shift the balance away from thrombosis, you set up a situation with the potential for increased bleeding time and other risks, but I don't think this is a big problem with eating chocolate!"

Dr. Faraday's study is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Antman reports no relevant financial relationships.

AHA Scientific Sessions 2006: Abstract 4101. Presented November 14, 2006.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/548025

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A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

2006-11-15T07:57:00.000-08:00

I found this article on a study of Dark Chocolate and a Daily Dark Chocolate is good for the Heart. You will find a link to the full article below.

Here's news that's hard not to like. Eating a small, 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you. Very good for you, find Mary Engler, PhD, RN, of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues.

Now here is a medical experiment you would love to volunteer for. Engler's team divided 21 healthy adults into two groups. One group got a Dark Chocolate bar every day for two weeks. Like other dark chocolate bars with high-cocoa content, this one is loaded with something called epicatechin. Epicatechin is a particularly active member of a group of compounds called plant flavoniods. Flavoniods keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.

The second group that didn't get same dark chocolate bars but wasn't totally left out. They, too, got dark chocolate bars. But their treats had the flavoniods taken out.

All subjects underwent high-tech evaluation of how well the blood vessels dilate and relax -- an indictor of healthy blood vessel function. Blood vessel stiffness indicates diseased vessels and possible atherosclerosis. Those who got the full-flavonoid chocolate did significantly better. Why? Blood tests showed that high levels of epicatechin were coursing through their arteries.

"This is the longest clinical trial to date to show improvement in blood vessel function from consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily over an extended period of time," Engler says in a news release. "It is likely that the elevated blood levels of epicatechin triggered the release of active substances that ... increase blood flow in the artery. Better blood flow is good for your heart."

Why Dark Chocolate Is Different

Not all chocolate is created equal. Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate.

Sure, this seems like a scam. Can't you get more and better flavoniods from other foods? Surprisingly, the answer is "not really." Engler says that dark chocolate contains more flavoniods than any other food -- including green tea, black tea, red wine, and blueberries.

"Many people don't realize that chocolate is plant-derived, as are the fruits and vegetables recommended for a healthy heart," Engler says.

While a little dark chocolate is good, a lot is not better. Chocolate still is loaded with calories. If you're going to eat more chocolate, you'll have to cut back somewhere else. And remember that a balanced diet -- and plenty of exercise -- is still the key to heart health.

Engler's study was funded by the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing. The American Cocoa Research Institute, a nonprofit group funded by the chocolate industry, provided the chocolate used in the study.

The findings appear in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of NutritionNutrition. Engler previously reported the findings at the 2002 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association and at the Experimental Biology 2003 meeting.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/88/99702.htm

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Some Fun With With Chocolate

2006-11-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

Children danced in liquid chocolate
after lorry overturned

Children in Brazil thought Christmas had come early when a tanker lorry overturned and lost its cargo of liquid chocolate.

Youngsters - and some adults - feasted on the chocolate which covered three lanes of the Pinheiros highway in Sao Paulo.

Some of the more excited children stripped to their underwear and rolled about in the road, covering themselves in chocolate, Jornal Nacional reports. Nobody was hurt in the accident but it caused tailbacks of up to seven miles.

All the cars had to wait for all the chocolate to be cleaned up before they could continue their journeys.

A police spokesperson said: "It was the best accident ever. Everyone was so happy to see all that chocolate. It was like a movie or a dream. It was difficult to get the kids out of the road."

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Chocolate in pregnancy keeps baby happy

2006-11-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

I found this article on a study of Chocolate and Found that Dark Chocolate is Good for your Health. You will find a link to the full article below.

Chocolate in pregnancy keeps
baby happy

Expectant mothers can take heart this Easter. Tucking into chocolate eggs is good for the baby, according to a study of over 300 women - especially if you are feeling a bit on edge.

Katri Raikkonen at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and her colleagues asked pregnant women to rate their stress levels and chocolate consumption.

After the babies were born, they looked for an association between the amount of chocolate their mothers had eaten and the babies' behaviour. Six months after birth, the researchers asked mothers to rate their infants' behaviour in various categories, including fear, soothability, smiling and laughter.

The babies born to women who had been eating chocolate daily during pregnancy were more active and "positively reactive" - a measure that encompasses traits such as smiling and laughter.

And the babies of stressed women who had regularly consumed chocolate showed less fear of new situations than babies of stressed women who abstained.

The researchers point out that they cannot rule out the possibility that chocolate consumption and baby behaviour are both linked with some other factor.

But they speculate that the effects they observed could result from chemicals in chocolate associated with positive mood being passed on to the baby in the womb.

Journal reference: Early Human Development (vol 76, p 139)

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Eating Dark, not white Chocolate is good for health

2006-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

I found this article on a study of Chocolate and Found that Dark Chocolate is Good for your Health. You will find a link to the full article below.

Washington, Nov 5 : Eating chocolate may be healthy, but it seems that the only kind that will benefit your heart, is the dark kind, a new study has found.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton.

The researchers conducted a series of four experiments. They first calculated the antioxidant content of various chocolate products, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk made with two different types of chocolate syrup and dry hot cocoa mixes.

They found that though dark chocolate is so healthy that it can help reduce the risk of heart disease, white chocolate, on the other hand, provides very little health benefits.

Coffee, tea and chocolate all contain polyphenolic compounds that neutralize the damaging effects of oxygen on cells by playing a protective role against free radicals, which are molecules with unpaired electrons, and which have been linked to diseases from cancer to bad cholesterol.

The researchers noted that the darkest chocolates bind with LDL's

i.e. the bad cholesterol - and prevent oxidation, which is linked to heart disease.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=46349

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Diabetics Can Have Dark Chocolate and Feel Good About It!

2006-11-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

I found this article on a study of Dark Chocolate Improves Insulin Sensitivity/Resistance and Blood Pressure. You will find a link to the full article below.

"Numerous studies indicate that flavanols may exert significant vascular protection because of their antioxidant properties and increased nitric oxide bioavailability," write Davide Grassi, from the University of L'Aquila in Italy, and colleagues. "In turn, nitric oxide bioavailability deeply influences insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and vascular tone. Thus, flavanols may also exert positive metabolic and pressor effects."

After a seven-day cocoa-free run-in phase, 15 healthy participants were randomized to receive either dark chocolate bars or white chocolate bars for 15 days, followed by another seven-day cocoa-free washout phase and then crossover to the other chocolate. The dark chocolate bars weighed 100 g and contained approximately 500 mg polyphenols; the white chocolate bars weighed 90 g and presumably contained no polyphenols. At the end of each period, oral glucose tolerance tests were performed to calculate the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI).

Mean HOMA-IR was 0.94 ± 0.42 after dark chocolate ingestion and 1.72 ± 0.62 after white chocolate ingestion (P < .001). Mean QUICKI was 0.398 ± 0.039 vs 0.356 ± 0.023, respectively (P = .001). Systolic blood pressure was lower after dark than after white chocolate ingestion (107.5 ± 8.6 vs 113.9 ± 8.4 mm Hg; P < .05). "Dark, but not white, chocolate decreases blood pressure and improves insulin sensitivity in healthy persons," the authors write. "These findings indicate that dark chocolate may exert a protective action on the vascular endothelium also by improving insulin sensitivity. Obviously, large scale trials are needed to confirm these protective actions of dark chocolate or other flavanol-containing foods in populations affected by insulin-resistant conditions such as essential hypertension and obesity." Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;81:541-542, 611-614 For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2593

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Chocoholics rejoice!

2006-10-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

I found this article on a study of chocolate by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. You will find a link to the full article below.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that chocolate may actually be good for you. While they didn’t go so far as to recommend chocolate as a health food, moderate amounts of chocolate as part of an overall balanced diet may help protect your heart, they say. Why? Chocolate, especially the dark kind, contains flavonoids, the same heart-friendly substances also found in tea and red wine. It also contains sterols (which help to lower cholesterol), B vitamins, magnesium, copper, potassium, and other heart-healthy substances.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.tenerifenews.com/cms/front_content.php?client=1&lang=1&idcat=18&idart=4936

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Mmmm.... more and more of us are now being tempted by the dark (and healthier) side of chocolate

2006-10-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

I found this article on Chocolate's Health Benefits. You will find a link to the full article below.

Chocolate expert Ray Newberry, senior lecturer in food science and technology at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, says awareness about chocolate's health benefits is growing.

He said, "There's been a lot of science recently about the health benefits of dark chocolate.

"Dark chocolate has less fat because it doesn't have the milk fats, and it also has higher cocoa solids, anything from 55% up to 80 or 90%.

"The ABC1 groups tend to look at the science that is provided and that may influence their choice."

A small amount of dark chocolate can indeed be good for you.

Nutritionist Jacqui Lowden said, "Cocoa beans contain about 65-75% polyphenals, also known as phyto chemicals, which have antioxidant properties.

"These prevent inflammation and help prevent against heart disease and certain types of cancer.

"Dark chocolate has more of the cocoa in it so it has more antioxidant properties."

As well as being the healthy choice, dark chocolate is considered more stylish and classier than milk.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_headline=mmmm-----more-and-more-of-us-are-now-being-tempted-by-the-dark--and-healthier--side-of-chocolate&method=full&objectid=17929738&siteid=50082-name_page.html

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Chocolate Good For The Skin

2006-10-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

I found this article on how Chocolate is good for your skin. You will find a link to the full article below.

YES, there is a god! Chocolate really is good for your skin. In studies in Germany, it was found that after drinking a cocoa-packed drink, blood flow to the skin was boosted (meaning it gets higher levels of nutrients and moisture). It also seemed to be more protected against UV damage - the number-one skin ager.Only dark chocolate contains enough antioxidants to have effects, though.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=yourlife--10-foods-you-must-eat-to-fight-wrinkles-&method=full&objectid=17923641&siteid=94762-name_page.html

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Just For Fun Hormone Hostage

2006-10-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, or significant other!

DANGEROUS:	SAFER:	SAFEST:	ULTRA SAFE:
What's for dinner?	Can I help you with dinner?	Where would you like to go for dinner?	Here, have some chocolate.
Are you wearing that?	Wow, you sure look good in brown!	WOW! Look at you!	Here, have some chocolate
What are you so worked up about?	Could we be overreacting?	Here's my paycheck.	Here, have some chocolate.
Should you be eating that?	You know, there are a lot of apples left.	Can I get you a glass of wine with that?	Here, have some chocolate.
What did you DO all day?	I hope you didn't over-do it today.	I've always loved you in that robe!	Here, have some more chocolate.

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CHOCOLATE'S NOT SO DARK SECRET

2006-09-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

I found this article that dark chocolate may be richest of all in antioxidants. You will find a link to the full article below.

Last year, Harvard School of Public Health researchers led by epidemiologist Dr. I-Min Lee studied food questionnaires answered by nearly 8,000 male Harvard graduates and found that those who ate a ``moderate'' amount of candy -- one to three candy bars a month -- lived a year longer than those who didn't.

The study isn't perfect, as Lee acknowledges. The researchers didn't separate out sugar candy, which presumably has no redeeming nutritional value, and chocolate. (They're doing that now.) But she speculates that if the effect is real, it's probably due to the antioxidants in chocolate.

So, the jury is still out, as it usually is in science. But I'd bet my editor's salary that as the mythical jurors pore over the studies.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/chocolate.htm

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Eating dark chocolate regularly improves insulin response

2006-09-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

I found this article on eating dark chocolate regularly improves insulin response. You will find a link to the full article below.

Let's stop pretending that diabetics don't eat chocolate. Come on, it's right there on the Hierarchy of Human Needs, somewhere between Safety and Love. But it's a complex mix of fat and sugar, so dosing for it takes some training.

Researchers in Italy seem to have heard my prayers. They have uncovered further evidence that chocolate promotes good health -- even better, that eating dark chocolate regularly improves insulin response. Results published in the March issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that study participants' blood pressure decreased, and they showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, meaning they were better able to metabolize glucose (sugar). Fab!

OK, now for the disclaimers: the University of L'Aquila, Italy, study consisted of just fifteen (yes, 15) participants, and these were all healthy people, i.e. no diabetics on board. Diabetes in Control, a site for health care professionals, also warns that it is dark chocolate and not white chocolate that contains the health-promoting flavanols and procyanidins. I can live with that. They also warn that new findings are no excuse to gorge on chocolate. OK, OK, duly noted... But it sure is nice to know that that some good things are also good for you!

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit here was learning that scientists working for Mars, Inc., "the world leader in cocoa science," have been studying the health benefits of chocolate for at least 15 years. They've developed a method to determine the amount and type of flavanols found in various foods, and a database to store this info, featuring a special table comparing different
cocoas and chocolates.

Happily for Mars, their CocoaVia® Bar, Dove® Dark Chocolate and Cocoapro® cocoa powder apparently rank much higher in flavanol content than most competitors. That's because they're using "patented and proprietary methods of processing cocoa beans to retain as much of their naturally occurring flavanols as possible." Really!

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/chocolate.htm

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Dark chocolate can improve blood pressure and insulin sensitivity

2006-09-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

I found this article on Dark chocolate can improve blood pressure and insulin sensitivity. You will find a link to the full article below.

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist A study shows that dark chocolate, but not white chocolate, improves both blood pressure and insulin sensitivity.
If you've been enjoying some chocolate over the Easter break, you may have been doing your health some good. Researchers in Italy have found that dark chocolate can actually decrease blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity. This may be because it contains antioxidant compounds called flavonoids.

A group of healthy men and women ate either 100 grams of dark chocolate or 90 grams of white chocolate every day for 15 days. Then they had seven days off and switched to the other sort of chocolate for 15 days. After dark chocolate, blood pressure went down and insulin sensitivity went up. No changes were found after white chocolate, perhaps because its milk content interferes with absorption of flavonoids.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2006/07/make-it-dark-chocolate-day-or-not.html

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Make it Dark Chocolate for Diabetes

2006-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found this article on why Chocolate lovers, especially those at risk for developing type II diabetes or hypertension, may now have a great reason to indulge. You will find a link to the full article below.

Make it a Dark Chocolate Day? Or Not?

Well, guess what… you’re in luck! Chocolate lovers, especially those at risk for developing type II diabetes or hypertension, may now have a great reason to indulge in this guilty pleasure.

A recent study conducted by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition tested the effects of dark and white chocolate in healthy adults to determine whether either type played a role in blood pressure and insulin sensitivity. They concluded that chocolate can indeed help reduce blood pressure and insulin resistance, but only dark chocolate bars seem to provide these health benefits. This is due to the fact that dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, antioxidant compounds found in many fruits and vegetables that have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. These flavanols therefore make dark chocolate a great solution to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Although dark chocolate has these health benefits, some dark chocolate bars may be high in saturated fats and cholesterol, so moderation is key. It is important to keep in mind that dark chocolate cannot substitute for everyday healthy food choices such as whole grains, and fruits and vegetables that provide a whole range of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, as well as dietary fiber. Nor can it replace regular exercise or medications that have been prescribed by your physician. Nonetheless, it’s nice to know your family can indulge in chocolate cravings every so often, and you don’t have to feel guilty about it!

Resources:

Grassi, D., Lippi, C., Necozione, S., Desideri, G., & Ferri, C. (2005). Short-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons. American Society for Clinical Nutrition, 81, 611-614.

Grassi, D., Necozione, S., Lippi, C., Croce, G., Valeri, L., Pasqualetti, P., et al. (2005). Cocoa Reduces Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance and Improves Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilatation in Hypertensives. Hypertension: The American Heart Association, 46(2), 398.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2006/07/make-it-dark-chocolate-day-or-not.html

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Chocolate Healing! A Delicious Healer for diabetes, cholesterol and more

2006-09-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

I found this article on how chocolate fight heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes., you will find a link to the full article below.

The NEW medicine food in town that helps fight heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes. High-powered healing never tasted so good!

COCOA BEATS WINE AND TEA FOR ANTIOXIDANT POWER. It's true. Research has shown the antioxidant punch of cocoa was, on a per serving basis, the highest - almost twice as strong as red wine, two to three times stronger than green tea, and four to five times stronger than black tea.

Cocoa is rich in antioxidant flavonoids called flavonols, which include procyanidins, epicatechins, and catechins, explains Harold Schmitz, Ph.D. Studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids have lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.historical-id.info/books/Chocolate_Healing_A_Delicious_Healer_for_diabetes.html

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2006-09-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.historical-id.info/books/Chocolate_Healing_A_Delicious_Healer_for_diabetes.html

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Eat Chocolate and Be Healthy - studies proven

2006-09-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

I found this article on how chocolate reacts with the body. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Chocolate contains a compound called PEA, that stimulates the nervous system, triggers the release of endorphins, which have an opiate like effect on the brain and take you quickly to your happy place. Chocolate also triggers the release of serotonin, the happy neurotransmitter. This effect is more profound in women than men.

In the 18th century, French doctors prescribed chocolate to women with broken hearts, and we've been self-medicating ourselves ever since.

Good quality chocolates are made with cocoa butter, which is comprised of about one-third oleic acid, a fat like that found in olive oil. Oleic acid has been shown to lower both total and LDL cholesterol.

It's important to read the labels, though, because not all chocolate is made with cocoa butter.

Chocolate is also rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that flavonoids, which are found in cocoa, lower the risks of heart disease, lung and prostate cancer and type- 2 diabetes.

If you consume your chocolate with fruit or nuts, your health benefits are even greater.

The best chocolate contains at least 70 percent cocoa — typical milk chocolate bars may contain only 40 percent. The higher the cocoa percentage, the healthier the chocolate.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060918/COLUMNISTS08/609180310/1024

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Study Finds Chocolate Does Good Things For You

2006-09-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

I found this article on how chocolate appears to be responsible for creating cardiovascular benefits. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

The study, titled “Cocoa beans, endothelial function and aging: an unexpected friendship?” was done at the Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Sanità Pubblica, Università di L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. A highly readable report was in the New York Times in an article by Nicholas Bakalar on 15 August entitled, “Circulation: Blood Flow Improves With New Mix of Cocoa.” The authors of the study, Dr. Naomi D. L. Fisher, the lead author, and her co-author Dr. Norman K. Hollenberg, published in the Journal of Hypertension in August. Please note, however, Mars, Inc. supported the study and supplied the cocoa.

Doctors Fisher and Hollenberg saw a “...significant increase in flow-mediated dilation, as measured by finger tonometry, in 15 healthy individuals aged under 50 years and 19 healthy individuals aged 50 years (or older,) after 4-6 days of cocoa supplementation.” They chose 34 subjects who were healthy without evidence of cardio-vascular, endocrine or kidney disease. None were on medications. Of the 34, 19 were over 50 years old. The study shows that the older the subject, the more the flavonol-rich cocoa worked.

The cocoa used for the test was not the usually available chocolate or cocoa drink processed to a point where the flavonols are no longer present. These flavonols are a class of flavonoids, which include wine, tea, vegetable and tea components that appear to be responsible for creating cardiovascular benefits. Along with chocolate, the flavonols are also effectively beneficial from flavonol-rich, purple grape juice and from drinking tea (today's news mentioned new findings on the benefits of green tea.)

The study notes “Several substances are naturally contained in the cocoa bean and may be responsible for the observed potentiation in nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation.” Eating and drinking these flavonol-rich substances (cocoa, tea, grape juice) act in a way similar to taking nitroglycerine. They relax the arteries and allow them to pass more blood to the organs – especially the heart.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/13/140940.php

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Chocolate: How Sweet It Is

2006-09-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

I found this article on how chocolate is beneficial for your health and a source of energy. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

You are looking for something. Something sweet and delicious. It isn’t that you are so hungry and it isn’t a mealtime. You want something sugary to provide a boost of energy, but also something that you can be proud of eating for its health benefits. You need a little something to give your mouth some entertainment. You are looking for chocolate.
Chocolate milk, chocolate croissants, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, hot chocolate, chocolate ice cream, and the list goes on. It seems that chocolate can be added to an innumerable number of things, and it makes them all a bit better. The question then becomes: what makes chocolate so special?
Literally for hundreds upon hundreds of years, man has been enjoying chocolate. First discovered by the Maya between 250 A.D. and 900 A.D., chocolate was first prepared as a thick and bitter beverage of cacao mixed with other natural ingredients. The Maya drank chocolate during special ceremonies and also used the mixture as an offering to the gods. Not until the sixteenth century did cacao beans first come to Europe on the ships of Spanish explorers. Almost immediately after it arrived, sugar and milk were added to the cacao beans to suite the European craving for something sweet. Sweetened chocolate quickly became a favorite food throughout Europe.
Indeed, chocolate is a popular food with a long history. But could it additionally offer health benefits to those who enjoy its sweet taste? Yes! Modern scientists have discovered that (certain) chocolate (in moderation) can function as a healthy treat. How? First, varying amounts of calcium, protein, iron and fiber are found in all sorts of chocolate. Nine of Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses have nearly a third as much calcium as does one cup of skim milk. Not too shabby. Also, and perhaps more important, certain chocolates have lots of antioxidants. (Antioxidants help both protect our bodies from harmful substances and maintain healthy cells and tissues.) Though research on antioxidants is still very much in the making, consuming foods high in antioxidants is recommended for a healthy diet.
Not all chocolate is created equal. The two most popular sorts of chocolate are milk chocolate and dark chocolate (either semisweet or bittersweet). Milk chocolate is the sweeter and creamier of the two and loaded with milk and sugar. By FDA standards, milk chocolate requires a minimum of only ten percent chocolate liquor. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, is required to contain at least thirty-five percent chocolate liquor. The higher the percentage of chocolate, the less sweet the chocolate becomes.
With regard to taste, preference is an utterly personal question. With regard to health however, the answer is more clear. Overall, dark chocolate boasts far more health benefits than does milk chocolate. Generally lower in fat and calories and with a twice as many antioxidants as milk chocolate, dark chocolate is, in terms of health, superior to milk chocolate.
Another positive feature of chocolate: certain sorts of chocolate contain considerable quantities of caffeine. The lovely alkaloid found is high quantities in such stimulating drinks as coffee and tea, caffeine excites the central nervous system and as a result, keeps us awake and alert. While nine of Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses have only 9 milligrams of caffeine, while a 1.45 ounce bar of Hershey’s special dark chocolate contains 31 milligrams of what we’re after. (To provide a comparison, depending on the type of coffee, one cup will contain between sixty and one hundred and thirty milligrams of caffeine.) Perhaps a bar of chocolate is the key to a late evening in the library.
What a lovely food chocolate is. For hundreds of years and in hundreds of ways, chocolate has been loved. Delicious, potentially beneficial for your health and a source of energy, chocolate is a total smash. Indulge and feel good about eating your chocolate of choice.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.cornellsun.com/node/18270

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Chocolate compound stops cancer cell cycle in lab

2006-09-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

I found this article on compound found in cocoa deactivates a number of proteins that are probably behind the continual division of cancer cells. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

The compound pentameric procyanidin has previously been shown to stop breast cancer progression in lab studies but the mechanism was unknown.

Writing in the April issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (vol 4, issue 4, pp537-46), a team from the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University explain that the compound appears to work on several different proteins involved in the cancer.

Although the study was conducted in breast cancer cell cultures, the finding could potentially apply to other cancers, said lead author Robert B. Dickson.

The research, which is part of a series of studies conducted at Georgetown on the chocolate-cancer connection, is being funded by confectionery giant Mars.

Cacao beans are rich in natural antioxidants known as flavonoids. These antioxidants may protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals, which are thought to contribute to both heart disease and cancer development.

The primary family of flavonoids contributing to the antioxidant benefit in chocolate is the procyanidins, and of the various types of procyanidins, pentamer seem to be strongest, according to a number of studies.

The Georgetown researchers tested a purified preparation of pentamer on a variety of breast cancer cells, compared to treatment on normal breast cells.

They located two well known tumour suppressor genes as well as two other proteins known to be involved in regulating the 'cell cycle' - the progression of a cell from a state of being 'quiet' into division and growth.

They found that the breast cancer cells stopped dividing when treated with pentamer and that all four proteins were inactivated. Furthermore, expression of one of the genes was reduced.

Dickson notes that "the novel aspect here is that a pattern of several regulatory proteins are jointly deactivated, probably greatly enhancing the inhibitory effect compared to targeting any one of the proteins singly."

"That is also why the compound seems to work on cancer cells, irrespective of whether any of these single genes are mutated, which often happens in cancer cells."

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.confectionerynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=59446-chocolate-compound-stops

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Cocoa rich in flavonoids increase blood flow in the brain and in the hands and legs

2006-09-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

I found this article on Cocoa rich in flavonoids lowering the death rate from heart disease and increase blood flow in the brain and in the hands and legs. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Though chocolate's popularity as a favored sweet trumped its medicinal uses beginning in the mid-19th century, scientists turned again to investigating its health benefits more than a decade ago, So far, researchers have begun to connect flavonoids with lowering the death rate from heart disease, said Dr. Helmut Sies, chairman of the biochemistry department at the University of Düsseldorf in Germany.

The heart benefits of chocolate consumption are far from confirmed. In-depth comparative studies still need to be conducted to learn whether certain elements of cocoa act like baby aspirin for the heart. And some experts point out that the fat in chocolate could instead be associated with deadly cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

Dr. Norman K. Hollenberg, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, investigated the Kuna Indians of the San Blas islands of Panama to examine the connection between cocoa consumption and blood pressure.

The Indians have a high-salt diet but normal blood pressure, he said, and they consume locally grown cocoa at every meal. His study tracked some Kuna Indians to the city, where they started drinking commercially ground cocoa. Then, he said, their blood pressure readings tended to rise.

While presenting the results of his research, published in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Hypertension, Dr. Hollenberg cited a second study showing that cocoa rich in flavonoids could help increase blood flow in the brain and in the hands and legs.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E0D8173DF934A25751C0A9629C8B63&sec=health&pagewanted=print

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More support for dark chocolate's heart benefits.

2006-09-10T18:06:00.000-07:00

I found this article on how Dark chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant and its beneficial cardiovascular effects. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

A daily treat of dark chocolate can improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease, say researchers from Zurich.

“Only a small daily treat of dark chocolate may substantially increase the amount of antioxidant intake and beneficially effect vascular health,” said Dr F. Hermann and colleagues from University Hospital, Zurich.

Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants, and contains more polyphenols per gram than green tea or red wine.
The Zurich researchers were careful to stress that further research is required to study the long-term effects of polyphenols on health. Moderation with chocolate consumption was also stressed particularly since it may adversely affect heart health because of sugar and fat content. The chocolate industry has however already profited from the wave of positive health effect of cocoa, with producers increasingly highlighting polyphenol content on their labels.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.confectionerynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=64693-chocolate-flavonoid-heart

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Research Presented at The National Academies Shows More to Chocolate Than Meets the Taste Buds

2006-09-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Today I found research by National Academies is the premiere scientific body in the US, on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant and its beneficial cardiovascular effects. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Beneficial for Circulatory Health
Building on a decade of research that Mars, Incorporated has supported in the area of cocoa flavanols and cardiovascular health, new research from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School presented at the conference suggested that the consumption of a high-flavanol cocoa beverage may beneficially impact endothelial function and blood flow in diabetics and the elderly. The endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels, which controls blood flow by dilating (opening) and constricting (narrowing) the blood vessel walls. People with conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes show signs of abnormal endothelial function. The study's findings showed that cocoa flavanols may help support healthy circulation in subjects who have a high risk of circulation problems. This preliminary data suggests a path to future research on potential approaches to helping people with diabetes reduce the chance of circulation complications.

I Got The Best Chocolate Drink for My Birthday

2006-09-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Hi yall, September 5 was my birthday so my wife got me a bottle of our favorite chocolate drink all for me... YES...YES...YES... I Love this stuf. This chocolate is so good that I could drink it all day long and not get all that I would like.

Our Great Tasting Beverage combines the antioxidant benefits of the finest, all-natural European cocoa powder, a berry from the Amazon Rain Forest, and other fruits. This drink is sweetened with agave nectar derived from a Mexican cactus.

The USDA website recommends a Daily Antioxidant Intake Range of 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC. However, recent studies have suggested that more active lifestyles require higher levels of antioxidants.

Our product is produced with some of the world’s most powerful super foods – unprocessed cocoa powder and the berry from the Amazon Rain Forest. As a result, one ounce of this has an antioxidant content or ORAC Value of 3,097. So just two ounces of our product meats the USDA recommended Daily Antioxidant Intake.

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Benefits of Cocoa highlighted at The National Academies

2006-09-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Today I found researchon unexpectedly large benefits of healthy chocolate on cardiovascular system and cancer. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

10/02/06 The cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao) holds tremendous potential to impact public health and improve the socioeconomic and ecological landscape of the countries where it's grown, according to leading world scientists who convened at the National Academies to examine the latest scientific advances in cocoa research.

Building on the first-ever cocoa science symposium held at The National Academies in 2004, the symposium brought together a multi-disciplinary international group of scientists from the public and private sectors to review the most recent scientific advances related to cocoa - from its potential to improve public health to its role in preserving the tropical ecosystems where cocoa is grown.

Symposium co-chair Helmut Sies, MD, Professor at Heinrich-Heine University in Germany added, "Based on the exciting research findings presented today and published recently in leading scientific journals, we are witnessing an explosion of cocoa science that has the potential to change the lives of people in terms of their health and their ability to impact the environment."

Norman Hollenberg, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, presented epidemiological findings that suggest flavanol-rich foods, such as specific cocoas, could provide an unexpectedly large benefit in the management of the two most common causes of death in today's world: cardiovascular disease and cancer.

"Our results indicate that a flavanol-rich diet may provide an extraordinary benefit in the reduction of the two deadliest diseases in today's world," said Hollenberg, who has been working with the Kuna Indians for more than 10 years. "Though preliminary, the data collected thus far are striking in terms of both risk reduction and potential public health significance. Further research is clearly warranted to conclusively define the relationship between consumption of dietary flavanols and incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer in this population, as well as others."

Hagen Schroeter, PhD, faculty member at UC, Davis, and Christian Heiss, MD, at UC, San Francisco, co-authors on the study published in PNAS, presented additional new data at the symposium demonstrating that the cardiovascular benefits observed following consumption of a flavanol-rich cocoa are not merely dependent on so-called antioxidant effects. "The concept that the benefits derived from cocoa consumption are solely related to antioxidant properties represent a view that is not accurate," said Schroeter. "Furthermore, most of the flavanols present in plasma have been altered by the body following consumption, and are known to have even less antioxidant potential than their parent flavanols. Therefore, the specific flavanol content and composition of cocoa, and the cardiovascular activities they exhibit beyond their antioxidant effects, are far more interesting and important to public health researchers."

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.nutritionhorizon.com/newsmaker_article.asp?idNewsMaker=10178&fSite=AO545&category=26&page=1

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How a chocolate drink helps Kuna Indians

2006-09-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Todays's research is on Kuna Indians and how a chocolate drink helps keep them from having high plood pressure cases and heart disease. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

The researchers headed to Panama, where the Kuna Indians traditionally drink three or four cups of homemade cocoa per day.

The Kuna Indians who live in their traditional location -- Panama’s San Blas islands -- have rare cases of high blood pressure and heart disease compared with Kuna Indians who move to Panama’s mainland, who drink less than four cups of the cocoa per week.

Stress and other dietary practices don’t explain the pattern, Hollenberg says.

“You take all the known environmental factors and put them together, and they don’t bring blood pressure that low. So we think it really is something special about eating these flavonoids,” he says.

Blood pressure tends to rise with age. But after age 60, average blood pressure for the Kuna Indian islanders is 110/70, Hollenberg says.

Blood pressure of 110/70 is in the normal range. In the U.S., more than half of people age 60 and older have high blood pressure, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The Kuna let their cocoa roast in the sun, Hollenberg notes. “What the Kuna Indians do is they treat it very gently. Not to retain the flavonoids; that’s just the way they do it,” he says.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182092,00.html

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Cocoa Flavanols and Cardiovascular Health

2006-09-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Today I found research on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant and its beneficial cardiovascular effects. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Dietary intake of a specific subclass of flavonoids known as flavanols has attracted increasing interest as a result of recent epidemiological mechanistic and human intervention studies suggesting potential beneficial cardiovascular effects. Among the wide variety of dietary flavanol sources, including apples, cranberries, purple grapes, red wine, and tea, some cocoas and chocolates can be extraordinarily rich in certain types of flavanols.

This article highlights recent studies that have been conducted that provide a growing body of evidence in support of the concept that cocoa flavanols may have a role in improving cardiovascular health. Factors affecting the availability of cocoa flavanols in the diet and
limitations that may therefore exist for their application in the public health arena are discussed.

Dietary Flavanol Intake and Coronary Heart Disease

Many population-based studies have used dietary surveys to estimate total flavonoid intake or focused on specific dietary sources, with tea most often being the single largest contributor of measured flavonoids.When these studies were designed, it was not widely recognized that cocoa and chocolate could be significant sources of flavanols and, thus, potential contributions from these food sources were not included in dietary questionnaires.

The Zutphen study from Hertog et al. showed a
significant inverse relationship between total flavonoid intake and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality over a five-year follow-up period in elderly men. Hertog et al. also reported beneficial effects of initial high flavonoid intake on CHD mortality over a 25-year period in a total of 16 cohorts drawn from seven countries.

Cocoa Flavanols and Mechanisms of Vascular Action

Cocoa flavanols have demonstrated the potential to
modulate cardiovascular health in at least two important ways: inhibition of platelet activation and improved endothelial function. Rein et al. demonstrated that flavanol-rich cocoa inhibits platelet activation ex vivo six hours following its ingestion, with significant reduction in the expression of the surface proteins glycoprotein

In addition to cocoa, a subsequent study found that
flavanol-rich chocolate could also inhibit platelet
activation ex vivo in humans."Most recently, a 28-day study found that the consumption of cocoa flavanols reduced platelet aggregation in a group of healthy volunteers, an effect not observed in the group that consumed the matched placebo."
Together, these data support the concept that the regular consumption of cocoa flavanols may reduce the activation of platelets and provide a dietary approach to reducing clot formation.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:h06_B7YZCeEJ:www.touchbriefings.com/pdf/1601/ACF27AE.pdf+mars+chocolate+flavonoid&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=73

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Chocolate prevents blood clots: study

2006-08-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

Wow... while doing research on healthy chocolate I found this article, this is just one of many I read today. I just pulled parts of the article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Chocolate prevents blood clots:
Study

A new study medical science offers: Chocolate might be good for you.

Not just any chocolate, and always in moderation, said Mary Engler, a professor of physiological nursing at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing. But her new study does find that biting into the right stuff can make arteries expand, increasing blood flow and thus reducing cardiovascular risk.

Milk chocolate won't do, Engler sressed, because it's, well, too milky. Look for darker chocolates, because darkness is an indicator of high levels of flavonoids, the chemicals that loosen up the arteries. And this is one instance where good taste and good health go hand in hand, Engler said.

You can tell that a chocolate has a high flavonoid content because "the flavor is so intense and rich," she said, reports forbes.com

According to newkerala.com a group of 11 volunteers were given 46 gms of dark chocolate rich in flavonoids daily for two weeks and compared with a control group of 10 volunteers who were given dark chocolate low in flavonoids.

At the end of the two weeks, the arteries of the group that had eaten the flavonoid-rich chocolate had a greater capacity to expand, up from 10.2 per cent to 11. 5 per cent, compared with a reduction in the control group.

The scientists also collected blood samples from the subjects and found that levels of the flavonoid epicatechin, which comes from the cocoa plant, rose significantly among those people who consumed flavonoid-rich chocolate. "It is likely that the elevated blood levels of epicatechin triggered the release of active substances that vasodilate, or increase, blood flow in the artery," Engler explains. "Better blood flow is good for your heart." Because standard processing methods can destroy flavonoids, not all chocolate is created equal when it comes to potentially beneficial effects, informs sciam.com

For the complete article on this, goto http://newsfromrussia.com/science/2004/06/01/54236.html

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Talk About Some Heavenly Chocolate!

2006-08-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

Today I found something interesting an arcticle on a 2-inch tall Virgin Mary that formed under a vat.I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Talk About Some Heavenly Chocolate!

August 28, 2006

By Ken Schram

SEATTLE - Maybe we could all use a few more miracles in our lives.

Or at least a chunk of chocolate that some are claiming as a miracle.

Last week, workers at an upscale gourmet chocolate factory in (where else!) California say they found a 2-inch tall Virgin Mary that formed under a vat that had been dripping drops of chocolate overnight.

I gotta say, this is WAY better that that grilled cheese Mary some woman cooked up a couple of years ago.

The chocolate Mary now has her very own shrine, though I'd strongly caution the devout from putting those candles too close.

Wouldn't be very seemly to have the Virgin melting now, would it?

The real question here is how to ultimately handle this particular miracle.

Rather than auction off the cocoaed Mother of God on eBay, I'd suggest casting a mold and mass producing her.

Of course, include a notice that the confection is not to be consumed, merely prayed to.

I mean, this ain't no Easter Bunny we're talking about.

Now, I understand that it may seem a little crass to suggest selling chocolate Virgin Marys but, like I said, I think there's a big market for miracles these days.

And let's face it: A lot of people are already of the mind that chocolate is, indeed, heavenly.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.komotv.com/stories/45164.htm

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Chocolate's Potential Health Benefits – and its Effect on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients

2006-08-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today I found research on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant is good for your heart, keep high blood pressure down, your blood flowing and your heart healthy. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Researchers have some news for chocolate lovers: it may be good for you. Scientists reported preliminary evidence recently that cocoa and other chocolates may keep high blood pressure down, your blood flowing and your heart healthy.

The research, the latest which correlates eating flavonoid-rich foods with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease(1), was presented in February at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) annual meeting in Boston.

One study found that a substance in cocoa helps the body process nitric oxide (NO), 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. Flavonoids are plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties; so far, scientists have found more than 4,000 kinds. Cocoa beans contain large quantities of flavonoids, and so do red wine, tea, cranberries, peanuts, strawberries, apples and many other fruits and vegetables.(2) The flavonoids in chocolate are called flavonols.

Generally, science has found that dark chocolate is higher in flavonoids than milk chocolate.(3) The way that cocoa powder and chocolate syrups are manufactured removes most flavonoids.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/3464/

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Cocoa flavonols emerging as functional food ingredients

2006-08-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

I found this exciting research on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant is good for your heart, lowering LDL, and helping with atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Several studies in recent years have demonstrated that the flavonols found in cocoa and dark chocolate have heart health benefits and new work is beginning to elucidate the mechanisms for this action.

New research presented at the conference also suggests a possible benefit on brain health, as flavonols boost blood flow to certain regions of the brain.

The investment in research on cocoa health benefits will certainly allow the firm with annual sales of $18 billion to offer new products that avoid the growing criticism leveled at confectionery makers for their role in the obesity epidemic.

Professor Ian McDonald from Nottingham University, presenting new findings on cocoa flavonols at the meeting, agreed that the research has little to do with chocolate.

“The message must not get out there that all chocolate products have these benefits. It would be a more sensible strategy to develop low-fat, low-energy drinks that are enriched in these flavonols,” he told NutraIngredients.com.

“There is very little on the world market that has the polyphenol content that would produce these effects,” he added.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.confectionerynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=61523-mars-cocoa-flavonol

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Chocolate and Cocoa Extracts beats cholesterol

2006-08-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is exciting research on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant is good for your heart, lowering LDL, and helping with atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Chocolate and Cocoa Extracts beats cholesterol

25/10/2001 - Diets high in flavonoid-rich cocoa powder and dark chocolate have a favourable effect on LDL ("bad" cholesterol) when compared with diets that limit or exclude other flavonoid sources such as tea, coffee, wine and onions, US researchers reveal this week.

Scientists at Penn State led by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton , evaluated and compared LDL (low density lipoprotein) susceptibility to oxidation when the test subjects, 23 men and women, ate an average American diet purposely low in flavonoids and a diet that contained about one and a quarter oz (38 grams) of cocoa powder and dark chocolate which are rich flavonoid sources.

Oxidation of LDLs is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Increasing LDL's resistance to oxidation is thought to possibly delay the progression of the disease. Flavonoids, which are present in a wide variety of plants, have long been known to inhibit LDL oxidation.

The study is detailed in a paper, "Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentration in humans" published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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Facts & Trivia on Chocolate

2006-08-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

Wow... This is exciting research on the facts and trivia of chocolate, you will find a link to the full article below.

Facts & Trivia:

Chocoholic: - n [chocolate + -oholic (as in alcoholic)](1968): a person who craves or compulsively consumes chocolate. - Webster's Dictionary

Did you know that the Aztecs considered all chocolate an aphrodisiac? Because of this, all foods made with chocolate were strictly forbidden to women.

Although chocolate is not an aphrodisiac, chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love. So - heartbreak and loneliness are great excuses for chocolate gorging!

Chocolate is old-school Viagra. Montezuma reputedly chugged a cup of chocolate before entering his harem, while Casanova called chocolate the "elixir of love" and drank it instead of champagne.

Christopher Columbus is said to have brought back cacao beans to King Ferdinand from his fourth visit to the New World around 1502, but they were overlooked in favor of the many other treasures he had found. Records suggest that he didn't particularly like the Aztec delicacy of "hot chocolate"- a thick cocoa drink laced with ground chillies and dyed red to look like blood - but recognizing its potential he took a load of cocoa beans back to Spain.

The early Spanish explorers thought the primary (if not only) use of chocolate was medicinal. Chocolate drinks were developed in Spain that were seasoned with pepper, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon or mixed with beer or wine. They became such a hit that Spanish society ladies had them served during Mass.

The first attempt at making a solid chocolate product came in the 1700's, when Mexican nuns raised money for their convent by producing and exporting solid chocolate bars.

The first "chocolate box" was introduced by Richard Cadbury in 1868, when he decorated a candy box with a painting of his young daughter holding a kitten in her arms. Cadbury also introduced the first Valentine's Day candy box.

Chocolate Toxicity In Dogs - Did you know that chocolate can be lethal to dogs. About 2 ounces of milk chocolate can be poisonous to a 10-pound dog. The same holds true for cats and other household pets.

Chocolate doesn't cause acne. This is just another myth about chocolate that has been disproved by doctors for some time.

The ability of the sugar in chocolate to drive up blood sugar (glycemic index) is about the same as oatmeal.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://whatscookingamerica.net/chocolate.htm

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Heart Strong Longer With Chocolate

2006-08-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Wow... This is exciting research on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant is good for your heart. I was more surprised to learn that it is actually one of the most healthy fruits commonly eaten by man! I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Cocoa has been found effective in lowering blood pressure. (CBS)

Quote

"I hope we will not solve all the mystery; we need a little mystery in life."
Philippe Petithuguenin
Cocoa Researcher

(AP) Those chocolates that make your Valentine's heart go pitty-pat may also help keep that heart running longer and stronger.

Chocolate, perhaps the world's favorite confection, contains chemicals like those in red wine and green tea that can help improve circulation, cut blood pressure and might produce other health benefits, according to researchers speaking Tuesday at the National Academy of Sciences.

The ancient Aztecs sang "I drink chocolate, it makes me happy, my heart rejoices," Alarcon told the session.

Maybe they weren't just speaking metaphorically.

Over the last decade or so researchers have come to see a relationship between consuming more flavonoids and lowering the death rate from heart disease, said Dr. Helmut Sies, chairman of the department of biochemistry at the University of Duesseldorf, Germany.

Dr. Norman K. Hollenberg of Harvard Medical School said he found cocoa was effective in lowering the blood pressure in his study of the isolated Kuna Indians who live on islands off the coast of Panama.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/10/health/main599438.shtml

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Our Healthy Chocolate now in the U.S.A

2006-08-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Our Great Tasting Beverage combines the antioxidant benefits of the finest, all-natural European cocoa powder, a berry from the Amazon Rain Forest, and other fruits. This drink is sweetened with agave nectar derived from a Mexican cactus.

The USDA website recommends a Daily Antioxidant Intake Range of 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC. However, recent studies have suggested that more active lifestyles require higher levels of antioxidants.

Our product is produced with some of the world’s most powerful super foods – unprocessed cocoa powder and the berry from the Amazon Rain Forest. As a result, one ounce of this has an antioxidant content or ORAC Value of 3,097. So just two ounces of our product meats the USDA recommended Daily Antioxidant Intake.

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Healthy Chocolate? Yes! A Health Food for Heart and Mind

2006-08-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

Cocoa is the Most Powerful Antioxidant Food!

Cocoa - The Super Healthy Fruit

You may be surprised to hear that cocoa is actually a FRUIT - and even more surprised to learn that it is actually one of the most healthy fruits commonly eaten by man! While you may have believed that cocoa and chocolate were "bad for you", the truth is that THE RIGHT KIND OF CHOCOLATE provides many health benefits that make it not only "good for you" but better for your body than most of the fruits and vegetables your mother made you eat when you were a child.

Cocoa beans come from the fruit of the cacao tree which grows in tropical rainforests. The official scientific name of the cocoa tree is Theobroma Cacao. "Theobroma" is Latin for "food of the gods". Cacao is pronounced "ka-COW". The words "cacao" and the more commonly used term "cocoa" both refer to the cacao bean, the seed of the Theobroma Cacao fruit.

For the complete article on this, goto: http://www.astrologyzine.com/healthy-chocolate.shtml

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Chocolate and Cocoa Extracts beats cholesterol

2006-08-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Wow... This is exciting research on how healthy chocolate flavonoids increasing antioxidant is good for your heart by lowing your LDL and incressing the HDL I just pulled parts of this article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Chocolate and Cocoa Extracts beats cholesterol

Diets high in flavonoid-rich cocoa powder and dark chocolate have a favourable effect on LDL ("bad" cholesterol) when compared with diets that limit or exclude other flavonoid sources such as tea, coffee, wine and onions, US researchers reveal this week.

Scientists at Penn State led by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton , evaluated and compared LDL (low density lipoprotein) susceptibility to oxidation when the test subjects, 23 men and women, ate an average American diet purposely low in flavonoids and a diet that contained about one and a quarter oz (38 grams) of cocoa powder and dark chocolate which are rich flavonoid sources.

Oxidation of LDLs is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Increasing LDL's resistance to oxidation is thought to possibly delay the progression of the disease. Flavonoids, which are present in a wide variety of plants, have long been known to inhibit LDL oxidation.

The study is detailed in a paper, "Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative
susceptibility and prostaglandin concentration in humans" published in the November issue of the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Analysis of their blood plasma also showed that total antioxidant capacity was four per cent
greater after the cocoa and chocolate containing diet. HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
was four per cent higher after the chocolate diet than after the average American diet.

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IT'S THE BEST MEDICAL NEWS IN AGES!

2006-08-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Wow... while doing my researching on healthy chocolate I found this article, this is just one of many I read today. I just pulled parts of the article, you will find a link to the full article below.

Studies in prestigious scientific journals say dark chocolate is healthy chocolate.

Chocolate -- not white chocolate or milk chocolate -- is good for you. There is no question that chocolate procures pleasure for those who eat it. - Never feel guilty again!

Eating 2 ounces (50 grams) a day of plain chocolate with a minimum content of 70% chocolate solids can be beneficial to health, providing protection against heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other health hazards as well as essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium and potassium, and vitamins A. B1, C, D, and E and it's a lot tastier than boring old vitamin pills too. A 1 1/2-ounce square of chocolate may have as many cancer-fighting antioxidants as a five-ounce glass of red wine.

About 50% of all food cravings are for chocolate, far more than cravings for "something sweet" (16%), salty foods (12%), baked goods (11%), and fruit (4%). Some people go so far as saying they are addicted to chocolate. But that's no license to go on a chocolate binge. Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure. Remember, you do have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.

For the complete article on this, goto http://whatscookingamerica.net/chocolate.htm

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Chocolate - A Help in Treating Diabetes, Strokes & Dementia?

2006-08-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Today while researching healthy chocolate I found this article, this is just one many I read today. I just pulled parts of the article that follows, you will find a link to the full article below.

Now wouldn't it be a dream come true if diabetics could use chocolate to treat their illness? A two day conference (25 -26 July 2005) in Switzerland convened by Mars Inc., the chocolate confectionery company, discussed research that indicates flavanols in chocolate may indeed be instrumental in helping in diabetes.

Molecules in cocoa credited for the "heart-healthy" benefits of certain cocoa and dark chocolate may also in the future help treat diabetes, strokes and vascular dementia, and could soon be available to pharmaceutical companies for development into new medications, scientists say.

Researchers said their findings point toward a potential major new class of medications, based on novel synthesized flavanols, to help prevent or treat serious illnesses. "The mounting scientific evidence on cocoa flavanols is extraordinary," said Dr. Norm Hollenberg, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and one of the first researchers to identify the potential health benefits of cocoa flavanols. "This is a scientific breakthrough that could well lead to a medical breakthrough."

For the complete article on this, goto http://www.allinfoaboutdietsnutrition.com/index.php?page=72

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Cocoa is loaded with anti-cancer phytochemicals and compounds, says research

2006-08-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

While doing my research on healthy chocolate I found this good article, this is just one many I read today. Now I just pulled parts of this article below you will find a link to the full article.

Cocoa is loaded with anti-cancer phytochemicals and compounds, says research

It's true: cocoa can prevent and reverse cancer. That's because it's loaded with powerful phytochemicals found naturally in the cacao plant -- the source of cocoa and just one of many Amazon herbs.

If you really want the benefits of cocoa (and, yes, the anti-cancer benefits are real), you'll have to find chocolate bars made with pure cocoa, and made without any sugars or artificial sweeteners. You can also buy nutritional supplements containing theobromine cacao (cocoa).

For the complete article on this, go http://www.newstarget.com/000132.html

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The benefits of chocolate without the guilt

2006-08-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

In all my research on healthy chocolate I have not found a product as good as this. With the Chocolate products having one of the highest antioxidants and Great Tasting, low sugar, high fiber and Great Tasting.

The benefits of chocolate without the guilt

This product is the perfect delivery system for the antioxidants in chocolate because it eliminates almost all of the fat and sugar typically found in other chocolate products. One fluid ounce of this contains only 25 calories, less than one gram of fat, and only two grams of naturally occurring sugar. Our product has a low glycemic index and three ounces of this product is a high source of fiber.

Indulge your health

The shocking good news is that dark chocolate is packed with potent antioxidants called flavonoids. Researchers have found that flavonoids found in cocoa powder contain diverse beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Cacao beans contain over 300 chemically identifiable compounds making it one of the most complex food substances on Earth.

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Good news for chocolate lovers!

2006-08-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

Today while doing my research on healthy chocolate I find many good articles, this is just one of the good ones.

Research to date suggests three mechanisms by which chocolate or cocoa flavonoids may benefit the heart:

1. Antioxidant Protection

In the "ORAC" test (considered the gold standard for measuring the antioxidant power of foods), a dark chocolate bar and a milk chocolate bar scored much higher than black tea, green tea or one half cup of blueberries. Preliminary research (test tube studies) suggests that chocolate or cocoa flavonoids may protect the heart by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL (oxidized LDL is much more likely to result in the formation of plaque on the artery wall). In a recent clinical study from the University of California at Davis, participants consumed one, two or three servings of M&M's semisweet baking bits (one serving = 35 g). As the amount of chocolate consumed increased, there was an increase in chocolate flavonoids in the blood as well as a corresponding decrease in markers associated with lipid oxidation damage.

2. Reduced Platelet Activity

In another clinical study from the University of California at Davis, participants consumed a flavonoid-rich cocoa beverage, After two and six hours, there was a decrease in markers associated with platelet aggregation and adhesion (stickiness of the blood), Both platelet aggregation and adhesion are associated with a higher risk of plaque formation on the artery wall. In addition, there was a significant increase in the time it took for the blood to clot (this was described by researchers as an aspirin-like effect on the blood).

3. Relaxation of Blood Vessel Wall

Preliminary studies in isolated animal tissues also suggest that cocoa or chocolate flavonoids may protect the heart by relaxing the inner surface of blood vessel walls. Flavonoids in chocolate appear to exert this effect by increasing concentrations of nitric oxide. Vascular relaxation is an important measure of heart health.

For the complete article on this, go to:http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3961/is_200104/ai_n8933148
Come and see Our Healthy Chocolate Products they are different, they have retained the flavanols in the cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no preservatives or sugar added!
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
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Protein Bar that has antioxidant benefits

2006-08-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Our Protein Bar combines the antioxidant benefits of the finest, all-natural, unprocessed cocoa powder, the açaí berry, and other high-antioxidant berries to deliver an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) Value of 4,066* per bar. This Protein Bar has 10 grams of soy protein, the equivalent to 2 large eggs, and it is sweetened with Isomaltulose, a low-glycemic sweetener. Each case of Our Protein Bars contains 4 display boxes each containing 10 Protein Bars.

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Chocolate Nuggets the Ultimate Antioxidant Treat!

2006-08-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Our Chocolate Nuggets
The Ultimate Antioxidant Treat!

The Our Nuggets are a chocolate 12-gram piece made with rich, dark, Belgian Chocolate and has 70 calories, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram of fiber and only 3 grams of sugar and there are 100 Nuggets per case. Since the Nuggets are made from dark chocolate they are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans.

The Nuggets are considered a “Clean Product”: No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Preservatives, and No Sucralose.

These Nuggets are the only Chocolate Bar, dark or milk, in the marketplace that has printed on the packaging the ORAC Value or Antioxidant Content of the product. We’re truly excited that we have the Ultimate Antioxidant Treat with a balanced nutritional profile.

Our Nuggets combines the antioxidant benefits of the finest, all-natural European cocoa powder, a berry from the Amazon Rain Forest, and other fruits. This chocolate Nugget is sweetened with just 3 grams of sugar.

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study shows that the flavanols in cocoa can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer

2006-08-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Chocoholics rejoice; study shows that the flavanols in cocoa can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer

The news the world has awaited with bated breath is finally here: Cocoa prevents cancer and heart disease. Candy producer Mars Inc., along with Harvard University, released the results of a 10-year study on Feb. 9 revealing that cocoa – rather, the flavanols in cocoa – can substantially reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The study compared the death certificates of 1,250 Kuna Indians in Panama and in the San Blas Islands just off Panama's coast. The Panama Kunas did not consume cocoa regularly, while the San Blas Kunas drank four to five cups of cocoa water per day. The study revealed that the San Blas Kunas, who drank the cocoa water, had a 1,280 percent lower risk of death from heart disease than the Panama Kunas, and a 630 percent lower risk of death from cancer.

In the United States, where heart disease and cancer are the top two causes of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is fantastic news. Cocoa, which chocolate is made from, can significantly help in the prevention of cancer and heart disease.

For the complete article on this, go to: http://www.newstarget.com/019398.html

Come and see Our Healthy Chocolate Products they are different, they have retained the flavanols in the cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no preservatives or sugar added!
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
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Chocolate may help aging blood vessels

2006-08-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

In my research on healthy chocolate I have found many good storys this is just one of the good ones.

Study Shows Special Flavonol-Rich Cocoa May Improve Function

Aug. 4, 2006

(CBS/AP)

Quote

"Our findings demonstrate that consumption of this flavonol-rich cocoa can improve the function of blood vessels in a healthy elderly population."

Naomi Fisher, M.D.

(WebMD) Getting your chocolate fix may actually help fix aging blood vessels, according to a new study.

Researchers found adults who drank a specially processed cocoa beverage rich in flavonols for four to six days improved their blood vessel function, and older adults appeared to benefit the most.

"Aging is typically associated with deterioration in vessel health, specifically related to function of the critical inner lining, or endothelium," says researcher Naomi Fisher, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, in a news release. "Our findings demonstrate that consumption of this flavonol-rich cocoa can improve the function of blood vessels in a healthy elderly population."

Flavonols are a class of antioxidants found in plant-based foods and beverages — such as cocoa, wine, and tea — that have been increasingly linked to heart benefits.

Chocolate Is Good For The Heart

For the complete article on this, go to: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/04/health/webmd/main1866474.shtml

Come and see Our Healthy Chocolate Products they are different, they have retained the flavanols in the cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no preservatives or sugar added!
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
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Have you seen this Healthy Liquid Chocolate Delight

2006-08-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Our healthy liquid chocolate is great and is truly made to tantalize your taste buds.
Its also great for your health to by having one of the largest ORAC (antioxidant) value found in any product today.

The USDA website recommends a daily antioxidant Intake Range of 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC. However, recent studies have suggested that more active lifestyles require higher levels of antioxidants. Our liquid chocolate has a ORAC value over 3500 per ounce. So with just one/two ounces you get the daily antioxidant Intake needed depending on your lifestyle.

Our beverage combines the antioxidant benefits of the finest, all-natural European cocoa powder, a berry from the Amazon Rain Forest, and other fruits. This chocolate beverage is sweetened with agave nectar derived from a Mexican cactus.

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Baby-boomers may benefit most from flavanol-rich cocoa

2006-08-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Baby-boomers may benefit most from flavanol-rich cocoa

By Stephen Daniells

03/08/2006 - The heart health of the baby-boom generation could benefit from flavanol-rich cocoa, reports a study co-funded by Mars, but independent experts warn against confusion with commercial chocolate snacks.

The results suggest that specialty flavanol-rich cocoa products could be increasingly targeted at the ‘baby boomers' (people born between 1946 and 1964), an age-group that forms the biggest age-bracket of the population in both the US and Europe.

Of particular concern to ageing populations is cardiovascular disease, which accounts for over 50 per cent of all deaths in Europe annually.

“Ageing is typically associated with deterioration in vessel health, specifically related to function of the critical inner lining, or endothelium,” explained co-author Naomi Fisher, MD, from Harvard Medical School. “Our findings demonstrate that consumption of this flavanol-rich cocoa can improve the function of blood vessels in a healthy elderly population.”

Fisher and her co-researcher, Norman Hollenberg, tested the hypothesis that the cardiovascular response to cocoa flavanols occurred vie a mechanism involving activation of nitric oxide (NO) production by the enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NO has been shown to act upon smooth muscle in blood vessels and increase blood flow (vasodilation).

For the complete article on this, go to: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=69613-mars-cocoa-flavanol-heart-health

Come and see Our Healthy Chocolate Products they are different they have retained the flavanols rich cocoa, because our cocoa is cold processed and has no preservatives or sugar added!
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
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Cocoa Rich In Flavonol Improves Blood Vessel Function In Elderly

2006-08-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

05 Aug 2006
Cocoa Rich In Flavonol Improves Blood Vessel Function In Elderly

Chocolate could be an elixir as a new study says that it helps repair aging blood vessels. Researchers said that elderly adults who drank cocoa drinks for four to six days. These drinks were rich in flavonols, which are a type of antioxidant.

The study followed 15 adults under 50-years-old and 19 adults over 50. All participants drank a specially processed flavanol-rich cocoa for four to six days. Researchers reported in the Journal of Hypertension that blood vessel function improved in both sets of adults, but older ones seemed to benefit more.

"Aging is typically associated with deterioration in vessel health, specifically related to function of the critical inner lining, or endothelium," said lead researcher Naomi Fisher, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

"Our findings demonstrate that consumption of this flavonol-rich cocoa can improve the function of blood vessels in a healthy elderly population."

Medindia on Cocoa Has The Ability To Improve Blood Circulation
Consuming naturally occurring compounds in cocoa could improve blood circulation, according to new research.

For the complete article on this, go to: http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=13061

Our Healthy Great Tasting Chocolate Drink is different it does retain more of the flavonols-antioxidants because our cocoa is cold processed and has no preservatives added!
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
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Chocolate Relaxes Heart

2006-08-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Relaxes Heart

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

By Miranda Hitti

Antioxidants in cocoa might help your heart by keeping your blood vessels relaxed, thus easing blood pressure and helping circulation.

So says a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study shows that cocoa’s antioxidants -- called flavonoids -- coax the body into making more nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels.

The researchers included Norman Hollenberg, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He tells WebMD that cocoa’s flavonoids could improve heart health.

Dark Chocolate Is Healthy Chocolate

Don’t Reach for a Mug Yet

Though several products already contain flavonoid-rich cocoa powder, a flavonoid-rich cocoa drink isn’t one of them yet, says Hollenberg.

Dark Chocolate May Cut High Blood Pressure

What About Chocolate?

Chocolate also contains flavonoids, “but the problem with chocolate is the burden of fat it carries,” Hollenberg says.

“So it’s hard to make chocolate a health food, whereas the cocoa has the fat squeezed out of it, so it could be a health food,” he continues.

“Now, I’m hoping that people actually make a flavonoid-rich cocoa that will be available for sale and that people incorporate into their diets. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m hoping it will,” says Hollenberg.

The study he worked on was backed by candy maker Mars Inc. Here is an overview of the tests that were done and their results.

By Miranda Hitti, reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

For the complete article on this, go to: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182092,00.html

Hold on Our flavonoid-rich cocoa drink is different it does retain the flavonoids, because our cocoa is cold processed retains flavonoids and at the same time removing most of the fat and has no preservatives or sugar added!
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
http://www.greathealthychocolate.com

Wonderful world of great tasting HEALTHY CHOCOLATE

2006-08-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

Our Dark Chocolate can improve your cardiovascular health, your blood pressure, your sugar metabolism and relieve inflammation in the body among many other benefits. Find out why our chocolate is #1 for your health!

The chocolate found in store purchased candy is PROCESSED chocolate and it is laden with fat, wax, fillers, preservatives and sugar. Ours contains completely natural, unprocessed chocolate which retains 100% of its antioxidant and nutritional value! In addition Our contains no fat, no sugar, is high in fiber and TASTES WONDERFUL!

This information and more can be found at:
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Dark Chocolate Aids In Cardiovascular Health

2006-08-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Dark Chocolate Aids In Cardiovascular Health

Almonds, Blueberries, and Oat Bran Help, Too

Dark Chocolate provides improved cardiovascular function and lowered risk for heart disease, according to a report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Dr. Mary Engler, a professor of physiological nursing at the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing, says that eating dark chocolate can make arteries expand, increasing blood flow, and thus reducing cardiovascular risk.

Milk chocolate does not provide the same protection, Dr. Engler stresses, because it is, well, too milky. Look for darker chocolates, because darkness is an indicator of high levels of flavonoids, the chemicals that loosen up the arteries.

Flavonoids are naturally-occurring compounds found in plant-based foods. According to the Chocolate Information Center, supported by Mars, Inc., scientists have discovered that one of the functions flavonoids may have is to act as antioxidants in humans.

Antioxidants are believed to help the body's cells resist damage by free radicals, which are formed by numerous processes including when the body's cells utilize oxygen for energy.

Tastes Good, Supports Health

For the complete article on this, go to: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/news_womenshealth/0407wh.cfm

Our Healthy Chocolate is different, it does retain the natural, plant-based chemicals because our cocoa is cold processed and has no preservatives added! There for we have the highest antioxidants level in our chocolate products.
For more information on our Chocolate, go to:
http://www.greathealthychocolate.com

Published By Women's Health:
URL: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/news_womenshealth/0407wh.cfm

Healthy Chocolate Delight

Expert confirms dark chocolate is good for your health

Expert confirms dark chocolate is good for your health

Eat up: Chocolate may reduce risks of heart disease

Eat up: Chocolate may reduce risks of heart disease

Cacao the Healthy Bean with a Long History

Cacao the Healthy Bean with a Long History

Dark chocolate seen healthy for arteries

Dark chocolate seen healthy for arteries

Eating dark chocolate may have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system in healthy people, the results of a new study suggest.

Chocolate: A healthy super food.

Chocolate: A healthy super food.

Chocolate Toothpaste? Extract Of Tasty Treat Could Fight Tooth Decay

Chocolate Toothpaste? Extract Of Tasty Treat Could Fight Tooth Decay

Dr. Norman Hollenberg's find, could be a chocolate lover's dream

His find could be a chocolate lover's dream

In the beginning

My favorite treat can be healthy, too

Cocoa loco

Chocolate takes another healthy turn

Chocolate takes another healthy turn

'Healthy' takes top spot in food trends

Sweet news ... chocolate can be good for you!

Sweet Science: New report reaffirms cocoa is heart-healthy

Dark Chocolate May Lower Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease

Chocolate boosts blood vessel function

Chocolate is Good

Flavonoid-rich cocoa found healthy for the brain

Dark Chocolate Has Health Benefits Not Seen in Other Varieties

Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

The Studies

Healthy Chocolate?

Chocolate - Between An Aphrodisiac or Better Sex

Chocolate - Between An Aphrodisiac or Better Sex

Heart Healthy Chocolate

New benefits found in chocolate

New benefits found in chocolate

News For Dark Chocolate Lovers

Acai + chocolate = antioxidant powerhouse

Dark chocolate beats fatigue, study

6 Reasons To Eat Dark Chocolate

The Good, the Bad and the Skinny on Chocolate

The Good, the Bad and the Skinny on Chocolate

Dark Chocolate For Better Sex

Dark chocolate 'wards off heart disease'

Chocolate Has Antithrombotic Effects Similar to Aspirin

A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Some Fun With With Chocolate

Children danced in liquid chocolateafter lorry overturned

Chocolate in pregnancy keeps baby happy

Chocolate in pregnancy keepsbaby happy

Eating Dark, not white Chocolate is good for health

Diabetics Can Have Dark Chocolate and Feel Good About It!

Chocoholics rejoice!

Mmmm.... more and more of us are now being tempted by the dark (and healthier) side of chocolate

Chocolate Good For The Skin

Just For Fun Hormone Hostage

CHOCOLATE'S NOT SO DARK SECRET

Eating dark chocolate regularly improves insulin response

Dark chocolate can improve blood pressure and insulin sensitivity

Make it Dark Chocolate for Diabetes

Make it a Dark Chocolate Day? Or Not?

Chocolate Healing! A Delicious Healer for diabetes, cholesterol and more

Eat Chocolate and Be Healthy - studies proven

Study Finds Chocolate Does Good Things For You

Chocolate: How Sweet It Is

Chocolate compound stops cancer cell cycle in lab

Cocoa rich in flavonoids increase blood flow in the brain and in the hands and legs

More support for dark chocolate's heart benefits.

Research Presented at The National Academies Shows More to Chocolate Than Meets the Taste Buds

I Got The Best Chocolate Drink for My Birthday

Benefits of Cocoa highlighted at The National Academies

How a chocolate drink helps Kuna Indians

Cocoa Flavanols and Cardiovascular Health

Chocolate prevents blood clots: study

Talk About Some Heavenly Chocolate!

Chocolate's Potential Health Benefits – and its Effect on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients

Cocoa flavonols emerging as functional food ingredients

Chocolate and Cocoa Extracts beats cholesterol

Children danced in liquid chocolate
after lorry overturned

Chocolate in pregnancy keeps
baby happy