No one who buys my chocolates has ever complained to me that they need to figure out a reason to eat good chocolate. The pleasure of good, quality chocolate is reason enough in itself.
But did you know that there are actually good health reasons to enjoy chocolate on a regular basis? I'm going to collect on this page in the future the latest scientific findings about chocolate and good health.
And if you happen to come across some information about chocolate and health, would you mind
and letting me know? Thanks!
A
recent study has found enriched forms of the beverage contain
ingredients that can help ward off heart disease.
Read the full story published in the The Daily Mail, May 26, 2008 by clicking
here.
In March 2008, Madison's own Channel3000.com published a story, Can
a Chocolate Bar Lower Cholesterol?, about the relationship between
chocolate and cholesterol. In a recent study, chocolate significantly
reduced LDL ("bad" cholesterol) without any adverse effects to LD
("good" cholesterol). Click
here to read the full story.
Finally one of the best foods for improving mood is chocolate, raw
chocolate is best like cacao nibs or powders, otherwise dark
chocolate, 85% or higher will help to elevate mood.
Read the full Sympatico/Health and Fitness on MSN by clicking
here.
The study's lead author says
polyphenols in dark chocolate are responsible for a reduction of
symptoms of the condition, which is characterized by muscle fatigue
after physical exertion.
Read full BBC NEWS, September 30, 2007 Story by clicking here.
Consuming chocolate containing plant sterols and cocoa flavanols can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition. Plant sterols, natural compounds found in certain vegetable oils, cereals, fruits and vegetables, were previously shown to be safe and effective in lowering cholesterol levels, and this study adds to that body of research, reported Food Production Daily. Read the full story by clicking
here.
A daily dose of dark chocolate could help lower
cholesterol. 04/19/2008 A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition examined the effects of eating two CocoaVia bars every day. The dark chocolate bars include an additive of plant sterols to help lower cholesterol. Read the full story by clicking
here.
Scientists are to investigate whether eating chocolate can reduce the risk of
heart disease in women with diabetes. Volunteers - postmenopausal women with
type 2 diabetes will eat a bar of chocolate a day for a year. Cocoa is rich
in compounds called flavonoids, which are thought to benefit the heart. The
University of East Anglia is using a specially formulated form of chocolate
which contains more flavonoids than usual. This compensates for the fact that
many flavonoids are destroyed in the process of turning cocoa into chocolate.
Soy - another source of flavonoids - has also been added to the special bars.
The scientists are testing the theory that adding flavonoids to the diet may
give added protection against heart disease on top of that provided by prescription
drugs. Deaths due to heart disease among women increase rapidly after the menopause
and having type 2 diabetes increases this risk by a further three-and-a-half
times. If the trial confirms the hypothesis then it could have a far- reaching
impact on the advice given to at-risk women. "A successful outcome of this
research would hopefully mean being able to offer people at high risk better
protection over and above that provided by conventional drugs." For details
of the trial contact Andrea Brown or Dr Peter Curtis at FLAVO@uea.ac.uk.
Read the full story by
clicking here.
Chocolate May Help Aging Blood Vessels
CBS News Healthwatch
By Jennifer Warner
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...
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier is pleased to announce her new
partnership with Dr. Dave Kiefer of Dr. Dave's Mega-O Truffles. "Dr.
Dave has a great concept: Getting your daily O3 supplement in the form
of dark chocolate truffles... what's not to love?" commented Gail from
her Atwood Avenue kitchen.
Dr. Dave contracts with a Seattle chocolatier and markets his
Mega-O's in the northwest with tremendous success. A Madison native,
Dr. Dave Keifer is thrilled to partner with Gail Ambrosius for the
production of his new vegetarian O-3 truffles. "Dr. Dave's Mega-O's"
are come packaged seven to a box - that's your weekly supply. Pick up
two boxes at a time and you'll always have your daily dose. Current
flavors include Orange and Mint. Watch for more flavors soon!
Chocolate May Help Aging Blood Vessels
CBS News Healthwatch
By Jennifer Warner
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...
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Effects: Dark Chocolate: A Fix for Smokers'
Plumbing?
New York Times
Vital Signs
December 27, 2005
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR
Dark chocolate, but not white chocolate, may improve the ability of smokers'
blood vessels to expand and contract in response to the body's
needs, Swiss researchers have found.
The scientists divided 25 smokers into two groups. One group ate about two ounces
of dark chocolate containing 74 percent cocoa, and the other
consumed two ounces of white chocolate, which contains no cocoa.
The investigators calculated platelet activity and the flexibility of the blood
vessels, two measures of healthy function, in an artery in
the upper arm of each subject. In those who ate dark chocolate....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
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.....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Is Chocolate healthier than green tea?
"Chocolate contains up to four times the anti-oxidants found in tea." Sound too good to be true? In fact, that was the conclusion of a recent study by Holland's National Institute of Public Health and Environment. Researchers found that chocolate - specifically dark chocolate - contains 53.5 mg of catechins per 100 grams. (Catechins are the powerful anti-oxidants that help prevent against cancer and heart disease). By contrast, 100 ml of black tea contains a mere 13.9 mg of catechins.
Eating chocolate to stay healthy? Well, why not? Scientists have established that there are important health benefits to be gained from drinking red wine, so why not chocolate as well?.... A cup of green tea with a chocolate biscuit or a piece of dark chocolate sounds like a great way to begin the day!....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
BBC News: Chocolate 'helps blood vessels'
Eating dark chocolate helps blood vessels function more effectively, researchers have claimed.
Writing in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, University of California researchers found a chemical in chocolate helped vessels expand.
Narrowed blood vessels increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and diseases linked to poor circulation....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Coughing? Pop a Chocolate
London — An ingredient in chocolate may actually be a more effective cough medicine than traditional remedies, New Scientist reports....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Chocolate's Secret Power
Just 1 oz of dark chocolate packs a big antioxidant wallop
You've read it before: Dark chocolate, the richer in cocoa the better, is not only a to-die-for treat, it's actually good for you. And just 1 oz of a very special chocolate packs more than twice the healthy antioxidant punch of red wine or other dark chocolates.
"Cocoa is rich in antioxidant flavonoids called flavanols, which include procyanidins, epicatechins, and catechins," explains Harold Schmitz, PhD, director of science at Mars, Inc. 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....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Hot cocoa tops red wine and tea in antioxidants; may be healthier choice
There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a healthier choice.
The study adds to growing evidence of the health benefits of cocoa and points to a tasty alternative in the quest to maintain a diet rich in healthy antioxidants, chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging, the researchers say....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
Study Sweet for Chocolate Lovers
Previous research has hinted that chocolate may be healthy, and now a new UCSF-led study will tickle the hearts of chocolate lovers.
School of Nursing researchers on Wednesday (November 20) reported a potential link between cocoa flavanols contained in certain chocolates and improved blood vessel function, which is believed to be an important indicator of cardiovascular health....
(Download a .PDF of this article by clicking here.)
