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>>>>> Help ME Circle <<<<
>>>> 23 December 2009 <<<<
Editorship : j.van.roijen@chello.nl
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The BolingbrookSun
Member of Sun-Times Media
Cocoa Pops
Chocolate's health
benefits keep expanding
December 16, 2009
By JEANNE MILLSAP
For Sun-Times Media
A physician in town makes a trip to Dan's Homemade
Candies in Joliet every Christmas season to pick up
gifts of dark chocolate-covered almonds for his
friends, family and co-workers.
Both the chocolate and the almonds are good for the
heart and health, he tells staff at the shop.
Both the chocolate and the almonds are good for the
heart and health, he tells staff at the shop.
It's not often that something so delicious is found to
be good for us, but the news keeps on coming about
chocolate - more specifically, dark chocolate.
It's not often that something so delicious is found to
be good for us, but the news keeps on coming about
chocolate - more specifically, dark chocolate.
Chocolate's "feel good" properties have been known
for centuries. Eating or drinking it can give a feeling
of well-being or a warm inner glow, even lifting a bad
mood. Some say it's an aphrodisiac, as well.
Cardio booster
There have been hints of chocolate's other effects
from studies, such as enhancement of cognitive
performances, longevity, and relief from depression
and chronic fatigue syndrome. But the biggest, most
solid news has been of chocolate's effects on the
cardiovascular system.
Flavonoid antioxidant properties of dark chocolate
are thought to prevent free radical damage in blood
vessels, decreasing the levels of harmful low density
lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol, and plaque formation
on arterial walls.
The chemicals in chocolate may also help reduce
platelet activation, increase the HDL (the good
cholesterol), affect the relaxation capabilities of
blood vessels, and positively affect the balance of
certain hormone-like eicosanoid compounds in the
body that are thought to play a role in cardiovascular
health.
And a new study in the November issue of The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests the
combination of cocoa and skim milk in hot chocolate
or chocolate milk may also reduce inflammation,
which could slow down or prevent atherosclerosis.
Dark not-so secret
According to physicians at The Cleveland Clinic, it's
the dark chocolate that is good for us, not regular
milk chocolate, and not what is mixed in with
chocolate, like caramel or other fat and calories.
Dark chocolate retains the highest amount of
flavonoids during processing, and it's those
flavonoids that give the health boost. Flavonoids are
a family of more than 4,000 naturally-occurring plant
compounds that may make those who consume them
healthier.
Other flavonoid-rich foods are apples, tea, onions
and cranberries. Red wine has far more flavonoids
than chocolate.
So, perhaps a bottle of red wine and some fine
chocolates wouldn't make such a bad Christmas gift.
"This is good news, but it doesn't surprise me in the
least," said Dan's Homemade Candies owner Karen
Nolan of the latest news about chocolate. "It's
always been a feel-good food. You just put a piece
of chocolate in your mouth and you feel good."
As far as healthy seasonal gifts, Nolan said there are
a lot of good choices involving chocolate.
Chocolate choices
Dan's carries dark chocolate-covered nuts, apricots,
pineapple, raisins, cherries and orange peel. The
dark chocolate-covered apricots are her favorites.
They even have the chocolate Brazil nuts, she said,
which are good for the environment, as well, with
purchases helping to retain the world's rain forests.
That doesn't mean sitting around eating a box of
dark chocolate bonbons is a good idea.
Researchers at the University of Cologne, Germany,
determined that a mere 6 grams a day - the
equivalent of 1=BD Hershey's Kisses - is all that's
needed to reap the cardiovascular benefits of dark
chocolate. Beyond that, the extra calories add weight
to the body, which in turn puts a strain on the heart.
So don't need to feel guilty about just a nibble
now and then.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press.
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