Tag Archive: flavanols
Chocolate Diets and Chocolate Pills
March 21, 2014
The idea of a chocolate diet seems to have new company. A new study will determine if collecting the nutrients in dark chocolate, minus the fat and sugar, and putting them in a pill, will do any good.
The key part of this study is the ‘flavanol’ that’s abundant in cacao beans. Several studies have shown how it can be beneficial for arterial health, insulin, blood pressure, as well as cholesterol.
The concepts of chocolate diets and chocolate pills may be rather new, but the health benefits of cocoa have been studied and established for quite a while. The flavonoids in cocoa are renowned antioxidants that help keep stroke and heart attacks at bay.
A Cup Of Hot Chocolate A Day Can Prevent Diabetes?
July 19, 2013
Mice that were fed a high fat diet that is known to be a causative factor for type 2 diabetes (the obesity-related type) suffered less inflammation after having been given cocoa powder. Scientists assumed that such finding could be applicable to humans.
Dark chocolate is packed with flavanols, plant chemicals that enhance blood flow by widening vessels. It has always been associated with tons of health benefits. In this particular study, the mice were fed the human equivalent of 10 tablespoons of cocoa powder, about four or five cups of hot cocoa, in a 10-week span.
Professor Joshua Lambert said: "What surprised me was the magnitude of the effect. There was not as big of an effect on the body weight as we expected, but I was surprised at the dramatic reduction of inflammation and fatty liver disease."
Chocolate Facts You Want To Know
February 15, 2013
Always be choosy with the chocolate you eat. Chocolate is known to be packed with nutrients, but to be able to get its substantial benefits, we must know what we're eating.
Chocolates that have at least 70% cocoa are the best ones, considering the higher the cocoa content, the more nutritious. Your chocolate is also better off non- or lightly alkalized or non-dutched. While milk and white chocolate are head-tilting good, they don’t offer as much healthy flavanols as dark chocolate does.
If you’re not a fan of dark chocolate, fret not. It's actually an acquired taste, and you can develop it by slowly increasing percentage of cocoa in the chocolates you eat. As a matter of fact, there are milk chocolates with 50 percent cocoa or more available in the market now.
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Chocolate for an Ageless Mind
August 24, 2012
People have that bad habit of denying the fact that they are getting older. But sorry to burst your bubble... A quick reality check suggests that you are not getting younger anymore.
Well, you the consolation that no one else on this planet is getting younger either. We all go through the same process. No one gets a VIP pass or a special treatment. That is just the way it rolls.
As much as you want to remain at your current number, no one ages backwards for Pete’s sake. To not reveal your real age may come off as a routine position, but at the end of the day, the joke is still on you.
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Eat Chocolate and Do The Math
August 16, 2012
Not to brag, okay, to brag... Ever since childhood, I’ve always liked numbers. I was even involved in the Mathematics’ Trainers Guild back in the 5th grade. Only the chosen few were, and I happen to be part of it. As a matter of fact, I even competed in math competitions during those days. Ahh… Glory days.
Even in high school and in college, I kicked butt at Math. I loved numbers almost as much as I loved writing. You had to go through reading that self-absorbed story I have about Math because it has something to do with chocolate, like always.
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Chocolate Better Than Fruit Juices
April 17, 2012
Chocolate is deemed healthier compared to a lot of fruit juices. It's even considered as a superfood in its own right, according to a recent research conducted by an American-based chocolate company.
Superfoods are foods that contain high levels of compounds and antioxidants that help in preventing damage to healthy cells. Scientists from the Hershey Centre for Health & Nutrition in America discovered that powdered dark chocolate contains higher amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants, which are known to protect cardiac conditions and cancer.
Take fruit juice out of the picture as chocolate proves to be much better in boosting one's health, a recent study has indicated. Cocoa and dark chocolate have higher antioxidant capacity compared to fruit juices, such as pomegranate, cranberry, and blueberry powder, based on a study seen in Chemistry Central Journal.
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Fighting Cancer with Chocolate?
August 18, 2011
If that would be the case, who wouldn’t want to kick cancer’s butt? Here are some interesting tidbits of information to help you realize how good chocolate can be for your health!
Cacao seeds contain Flavonoids (specifically Flavanols) that are chemicals found in plant-based foods that give major health benefits. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been known and almost all of it are found in fruits, vegetables and beverages such as tea, coffee, beer, wine and fruit drinks. Good thing our beloved chocolate is part of the list!
When we eat foods that have flavonoids, it just means that we also take advantage of the antioxidants in it which are believed to help the body fight cell damage. In addition to that, studies say that flavonoids have other helpful influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart, making blood platelets less viscous. Thus, keeping cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels. It also slows down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.
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The Power of Cocoa Powder
February 15, 2011
New research finding just released in the Chemistry Central Journal compares the antioxidant power of the powders; fruit powder vs. cocoa powder.
Cacao and a number of other fruits are often classified as super fruits. So which is the most super?
In the study, a variety of fruit powders were analyzed for their antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and total flavanol (TF) content. Cocoa powder was also analyzed.
After all the powders were tested, it was determined that cocoa powder had the most concentrated source of antioxidants and flavanols (ORAC and TF).
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