Surprise! Chocolate can be good for you!

In celebration of the end of Easter Holiday and the chocolate overload you justified over the weekend, below you will see an article about how chocolate is not as bad for your health as you think.

This article and pictures are posted directly from http://www.allchocolate.com/health/basics/antioxidant_effects.aspx.
It is a great website with far more information about chocolate then I could post here so if your interest is peaked, check out their site.


Thanks for reading my blog. Have a great week!
That's my take :)


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It's more than wishful thinking — chocolate can be good for you. Studies show that eating chocolate, primarily dark chocolate, may contribute to improved cardiovascular health. Packed with natural antioxidants, dark chocolate and cocoa sit in the same good-for-you category as green tea and blueberries. That's because chocolate comes from cacao beans (or cocoa beans), which grow on the cacao tree and are full of natural plant nutrients. Most of the studies to date highlight dark chocolate's health values because it has the highest percentage of cocoa solids, therefore more flavanol antioxidants.

an antioxidant powerhouse

chocolate's natural compounds 

Chocolate is packed with natural compounds called antioxidants that scientists have discovered can protect your body and promote good health. In fact, ounce for ounce, dark chocolate and cocoa have more antioxidants than do foods like blueberries, green tea and red wine.

Surprised? Many people are. That's because they forget that chocolate is a plant-based food.

"The main ingredient in chocolate is cocoa beans - the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree," said Debra Miller, Ph.D., Senior Nutrition Scientist with the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, who has studied chocolate's health benefits extensively. "Because of modern manufacturing and the common form of the 'chocolate bar', most people today don't associate chocolate with its natural beginnings, but chocolate is essentially food of the earth."

Antioxidants: Good for plants, good for people

Scientists theorize that plants naturally produce antioxidants to help them survive harsh growing conditions and to protect them from environmental stress. These same compounds can aid the humans who eat the plants too.

The health benefits of high-antioxidant foods have taken the scientific world — and the media — by storm. Recent studies suggest that the antioxidants in foods may reduce the risk of many kinds of illness, from heart disease to cancer. Antioxidants like those found in dark chocolate and cocoa have also been linked to some of the hallmarks of good cardiovascular health such as enhanced blood flow, healthy cholesterol levels and, in some cases, reduced blood pressure.

Dark chocolate and cocoa contain high levels of cell-protecting antioxidant compounds. Two tablespoons of natural cocoa have more antioxidant capacity than four cups of green tea, 1 cup of blueberries and one and half glasses of red wine.

Studies show that as soon as 30 minutes after eating one 40 gram serving of dark chocolate blood levels of the two main antioxidants in chocolate, epicatechin and catechin, are heightened. They peak two hours after consumption and are cleared from the body after about six hours.

How Antioxidants Work

Antioxidants work by protecting your cells from damaging molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are basically unstable oxygen molecules that can trigger changes in the structure of normally healthy cells. This damage is thought to be an underlying cause of many chronic diseases. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals.

Free radicals are a natural by-product of life, but as we get older the natural antioxidants our body makes to fight them off begin to decline, experts say. The best way to recharge your antioxidant power is to get them through your diet. Now you know why your Mom and your doctor always told you to eat your fruits and vegetables.

Concentrated Capacity

The kinds of antioxidants found in chocolate are called polyphenols, a large class of molecules found in fruits and vegetables like oranges, soybeans and berries. Dark chocolate and cocoa are particularly high in a sub-class of those compounds called flavanols, which are also found in red grapes and tea, hence the well-known benefits of red wine and green tea.

The reason dark chocolate and cocoa rank so high is that the antioxidants are very concentrated. Consider this: more than 10 percent of the weight of the dry raw cacoa beans consists of polyphenols alone.

New Found Love for Red Wine

With my recent trip to Napa and my new found love for wine, I was interested in finding out more information about any benefits of red wine. The Mayo Clinic had a great article on-line about resvertrol which is found in red wine. If used in moderation, red wine might be heart healthy! That is good news to me since I now have a little obsession with fine wine and Napa. Hope you too find it interesting.  

http://topnews.in/healthcare/sites/default/files/red-wine.jpg

Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?

Red wine and something in red wine called resveratrol might be heart healthy. Find out the facts, and hype, regarding red wine and its impact on your heart.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and protecting against artery damage.

While the news about red wine might sound great if you enjoy a glass of red wine with your evening meal, doctors are wary of encouraging anyone to start drinking alcohol. That's because too much alcohol can have many harmful effects on your body.

Still, many doctors agree that something in red wine appears to help your heart. It's possible that antioxidants, such as flavonoids or a substance called resveratrol, have heart-healthy benefits.

How is red wine heart healthy?

Red wine seems to have even more heart-healthy benefits than other types of alcohol, but it's possible that red wine isn't any better than beer, white wine or liquor for heart health. There's still no clear evidence that red wine is better than other forms of alcohol when it comes to possible heart-healthy benefits.

Antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. A polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine that's gotten attention.

Resveratrol in red wine

Resveratrol might be a key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces "bad" cholesterol and prevents blood clots.

Most research on resveratrol has been done on animals, not people. Research in mice given resveratrol suggests that the antioxidant might also help protect them from obesity and diabetes, both of which are strong risk factors for heart disease. However, those findings were reported only in mice, not in people. In addition, to get the same dose of resveratrol used in the mice studies, a person would have to drink over 60 liters of red wine every day.

Some research shows that resveratrol could be linked to a reduced risk of inflammation and blood clotting, both of which can lead to heart disease. More research is needed before it's known whether resveratrol was the cause for the reduced risk.

Resveratrol in grapes, supplements and other foods

The resveratrol in red wine comes from the skin of grapes used to make wine. Because red wine is fermented with grape skins longer than is white wine, red wine contains more resveratrol. Simply eating grapes, or drinking grape juice, has been suggested as one way to get resveratrol without drinking alcohol. Red and purple grape juices may have some of the same heart-healthy benefits of red wine.

Other foods that contain some resveratrol include peanuts, blueberries and cranberries. It's not yet known how beneficial eating grapes or other foods might be compared with drinking red wine when it comes to promoting heart health. The amount of resveratrol in food and red wine can vary widely.

Resveratrol supplements are also available. While researchers haven't found any harm in taking resveratrol supplements, most of the resveratrol in the supplements can't be absorbed by your body.

How does alcohol help the heart?

Various studies have shown that moderate amounts of all types of alcohol benefit your heart, not just alcohol found in red wine. It's thought that alcohol:

·                                 Raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol

·                                 Reduces the formation of blood clots

·                                 Helps prevent artery damage caused by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol

Drink in moderation — or not at all

Red wine's potential heart-healthy benefits look promising. Those who drink moderate amounts of alcohol, including red wine, seem to have a lower risk of heart disease. However, more research is needed before we know whether red wine is better for your heart than are other forms of alcohol, such as beer or spirits.

Neither the American Heart Association nor the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend that you start drinking alcohol just to prevent heart disease. Alcohol can be addictive and can cause or worsen other health problems.

Drinking too much increases your risk of high blood pressure, high triglycerides, liver damage, obesity, certain types of cancer, accidents and other problems. In addition, drinking too much alcohol regularly can cause cardiomyopathy — weakened heart muscle — causing symptoms of heart failure in some people. If you have heart failure or a weak heart, you should avoid alcohol completely. If you take aspirin daily, you should avoid or limit alcohol, depending on your doctor's advice. You also shouldn't drink alcohol if you're pregnant. If you have questions about the benefits and risks of alcohol, talk to your doctor about specific recommendations for you.

If you already drink red wine, do so in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as an average of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. The limit for men is higher because men generally weigh more and have more of an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol than women do.

A drink is defined as 12 ounces (355 milliliters, or mL) of beer, 5 ounces (148 mL) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 mL) of 80-proof distilled spirits.

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Thanks to the Mayo Clinic for the above information at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/

Thanks for reading my blog and if you are interested in trying the heart healthy aspects of red wine grab a bottle tonight for dinner.
That's my take :)

Crave Caffeine? It May Be in Your Genes!!

I feel like my day is not complete without at least 1 if not 2 cups of caffeine :) My favorite is a soy foamy latte but I will take caffeine any way I can get it... I saw this article on WebMD and thought I would pass it along..... Your craving for caffeine might not be your fault, it could be in your genes. Can I finally blame my genes for something? :)


Crave Caffeine? It May Be in Your Genes

picture from www.dannyscafe.net

DNA May Influence How Much Caffeine People Consume, Researchers Say

By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

April 7, 2011 -- DNA may play a large role in determining how much caffeine people consume in beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda and food such as chocolate, new research indicates.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health, the National Cancer Institute, and other institutions say they have discovered two genetic variations that influence the metabolism of caffeine and are associated with how much caffeine people consume. People with particular variations of two specific genes are more likely to consume caffeine, and to drink more of it when they do, study leader Marilyn C. Cornelis, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, tells WebMD.

Genes and Coffee

The genes are identified as CYP1A2, long known to play some role in caffeine metabolism, and another called AHR, which affects regulation of CYP1A2.

All people have both genes, but the study, involving more than 47,000 middle-aged Americans of European descent, finds that people with the highest-consumption variant for either gene consumed about 40 milligrams more caffeine than people with the lowest-consumption gene varieties. Forty milligrams is the equivalent of 1/3 cup of caffeinated coffee or one can of soda.

Cornelis says her own father may carry the variations that correspond to higher caffeine consumption because he drinks “at least 10 cups” daily.

“He’s not trying to achieve pleasurable effects,” she tells WebMD. “Rather, he’s trying to maintain levels as a means to avoid the withdrawal symptoms. Without a cup he’d wake up in the middle of the night with a headache.”

That suggests he “could possibly have the genetic profile of a fast caffeine metabolizer,” she says in an email.

The researchers say it’s likely that genetics plays a major role in other behaviors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking.

Coffee Consumption

The researchers say in a news release that their conclusions are based on an analysis of five studies conducted between 1984 and 2001. Average caffeine consumption via coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas, or chocolate was recorded.

About 80% of the caffeine intake among participants involved in the analysis was from coffee, similar to the adult caffeine consumption in the U.S. “We propose that those with the genotype corresponding to ‘higher caffeine consumption’ are metabolizing caffeine at a different rate vs. those with the ‘lower caffeine consumption’ genotype, and so require a different level of intake to maintain or achieve physiological caffeine levels that produce pleasurable effects,” Cornelis tells WebMD.

So what does this mean?

“Clearly these genetic variants are affecting how our body processes caffeine,” she tells WebMD.

Caffeine is implicated in a number of medical and physiological conditions. Caffeine affects mood, sleep patterns, energy levels, and mental and physical performance.

“Caffeinated products, particularly coffee, have long been implicated in various health conditions.”

She says that “studying the effects of caffeine, say, on the cardiovascular system, would be challenging if the group of subjects we’re studying process caffeine differently.”

More ‘Caffeine Genes’ May Be Identified

This genetic knowledge could be used “to advance caffeine research and potentially identify subgroups, defined by genotype, of the population most susceptible to the effects of caffeine,” Cornelis tells WebMD. “More research on the precise function of these variants is needed, however, and there are likely more ‘caffeine genes’ to be identified.”

She tells WebMD that her team’s findings “demonstrate that our search approach -- scanning the entire human genome -- works.”

Also, it shows for the first time that genetics may be responsible for inherited differences in how people drink coffee.

The study is published in the April issue of PLoS Genetics.

Reference: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20110407/crave-caffeine-it-may-be-in-your-genes

Have a great week. Thanks for checking out my blog!
That's my take :)

Great News for Strawberries!!!

Did you hear the great news about strawberries? I found an article online that was in support of the news report on television just 2 nights ago. Hope you find it as informative as I did. I love strawberries! Now I have even more reasons to eat them. :)

Strawberries May Help Prevent Esophageal Cancer

http://www.elements4health.com/images/stories/food/strawberries.jpg

Small Study Shows Slowing of Precancerous Lesions for People Who Ate Freeze-Dried Strawberries

By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

April 6, 2011 -- Eating freeze-dried strawberries may help prevent esophageal cancer, according to new but preliminary research.

''Eating strawberries may be a way for people at high risk for esophageal cancer to protect themselves from the disease," says researcher Tong Chen, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus.

She presented the results of her small study at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Orlando, Fla. The study was funded by the California Strawberry Commission. After an animal study showed strawberries might have some cancer-fighting benefits for esophageal cancer, Chen decided to study their effect in people.

She evaluated the use of freeze-dried strawberries in 36 men and women who had precancerous lesions of the esophagus. Their average age was about 54. All were at high risk for cancer of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It allows food to enter the stomach for digestion.

In 2010, 16,640 new cases of esophageal cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. and 14,500 people died of it, according to the American Cancer Society. Risk factors for esophageal cancer include tobacco use and the combination of smoking and drinking alcohol heavily. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may also increase risk.

Resource: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20110406/strawberries-may-help-prevent-esophageal-cancer

Now that you have heard the news go to your local Whole Foods or any market and buy freeze-dried strawberries tonight!
That's my take :)

Movie Popcorn has shocking calories!

Sad but true that movie popcorn is just not good for you. I saw this article on CBSnews.com and had to post it. I love popcorn but this is really sad to hear. My suggestions: make it a small with no butter or even better skip the popcorn. I know - easier said than done, but you would be saving your health and your wallet!

The Truth about Movie Popcorn


http://chernutrition.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/popcorn1.jpg

 

(CBS)  Ordering a medium popcorn and soda combo from a major national movie theater chain is the equivalent of eating three McDonald's Quarter Pounders with 12 pats of butter, according to a new study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

According to laboratory analysis conducted by the Center for Science and Public Interest (CSPI), the concessions from Regal, the country's biggest movie chain, have 1,160 calories and three days worth - 60 grams - of fat. Regal said that the medium popcorn had 720 calories and the large had 960, but CSPI's tests found those numbers to be understated. A small popcorn at Regal had 670 calories - the same as a Pizza Hut Personal Pepperoni Pan Pizza. Even if you share a small popcorn - it's still about a day's worth of saturated fat per person, according to CSPI.

"It’s hard enough for Americans to maintain a healthy weight even when limiting their eating to breakfast, lunch, and dinner," said CSPI senior nutritionist Jayne Hurley. "Who realizes that they might be taking in a meal’s worth of calories during a movie? Splitting a medium popcorn with two other people sounds like a reasonable thing to do, but who would think they’re getting an entire day’s worth of saturated fat?"

The study is published in December's Nutrition Action Health letter, and updates research CSPI conducted 15 years ago.

George Dunn, the President and COO of Regal Entertainment Group, said that when CSPI released a similar study in 1994, Regal responded by offering healthier choices like air-popped popcorn, but that they weren't popular with customers.

"According to the most recent statistics from the Motion Picture Association of America, the average American attends six movies a year," Dunn said. "Theater popcorn and movie snacks are viewed as a treat and not intended to be part of a regular diet."

AMC, the second-largest chain, had similar calorie and fat counts. Adding the butter-flavored oil topping piles on an additional 240 calories.
Cinemark, the third-largest chain pops their corn in heart-healthy, but similarly caloric, canola oil.

While Cinemark's popcorn had far less saturated fat - 2 grams - it had the highest amount of sodium, 1,500 milligrams, which is a day's allowance for most people. But at some Cinemark locations, the butter topping is made with real butter, adding 18 grams of saturated fat.

CSPI warns not to indulge in sodas or candy either. A 8-ounce bag of Reese's Pieces had 1,160 calories and 35 grams of saturated fat, making it comparable to eating a 16-ounce T-bone steak and a buttered baked potato.

"Sitting in the dark, absorbed by a movie, we pay no attention to what we’re eating-and movie theater chains are offering only bad choices at bad prices," said Hurley. "The healthiest snack to buy at the movies is no snack at all."

©MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. (November 2009)

Thanks for reading my post!

That's my take :)

Turmeric- a spice that tastes good & has health benefits!!!

Did you know that by adding Turmeric you could be preventing prostate cancer or even slowing the progression of Alzheimer's?

I found some great information about how Turmeric can be a great addition to your cooking and great for your health too.

www.savoryspiceshop.com/spices/turmeric.html

TURMERIC

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Turmeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.

Here are many great reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. As a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, it is useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. It may prevent melanoma.

4. It reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

5. It is a natural liver detoxifier.

6. It may prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

7. It may prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

8. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

9. It has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

10. It is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

11. It may aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

12. It has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

13. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

 14. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

15. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

16. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

17. It speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

18. It may help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

Turmeric can be added to chicken, turkey or other meats. I even add it to my sauteed veggies. Just as a side note Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form if you don't want to add it to your food but want the health benefits. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

I have been using Turmeric in my cooking for awhile now and I love it. Give it a try and you too will love the flavor as well as the benefits to your health!

That's my take :)  

Thanks to http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html for the above information!

Heart Healthy Almond & Apricot Biscotti

Happy Friday Night!
Here is a great recipe for a heart healthy dessert. I have always liked biscotti as it reminds me of my trips to Europe. Great added benefit is that if stored correctly it can be a long lasting treat! 





Almond & Apricot Biscotti 

Dietician's tip: This twice-baked cookie is a classic with coffee or tea. The whole-wheat and nuts are good sources of manganese (a mineral that helps bone formation) and selenium (an antioxidant important for thyroid hormone function).



photo credit: http://bit.ly/gNVyot



MAKES 24 COOKIES



Ingredients

3/4 cup whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
3/4 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup 1 percent low-fat milk
2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons dark honey
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar and baking powder. Whisk to blend. Add the eggs, milk, canola oil, honey and almond extract. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough just begins to come together. Add the chopped apricots and almonds. With floured hands, mix until the dough is well blended.

Place the dough on a long sheet of plastic wrap and shape by hand into a flattened log 12 inches long, 3 inches wide and about 1 inch high. Lift the plastic wrap to invert the dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to another baking sheet to cool for 10 minutes. Leave the oven set at 350 F.

Place the cooled log on a cutting board. With a serrated knife, cut crosswise on the diagonal into 24 slices 1/2-inch wide. Arrange the slices, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Return to the oven and bake until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Source: This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of the 2005 James Beard award.

Thanks for following my blog!
That's my take :)

My new healthy snack - Goes really well with a cup of coffee!

 Happy April Everyone :)
 For my first April 2011 post - If you haven't tried KIND plus bars - you are missing out!

 Snack Under 200 Calories: Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew + Antioxidants Kind Bar

It can be hard to say no to a combination like dark chocolate, cherries and cashews − thanks to Kind Bars we no longer have to. This bar is not only packed with flavor, but it is also a decadent way to get 50 percent of your recommended daily value of vitamins A, C and E.

Calories: 180



They have many choices and all are super tasty! It totally hits the spot when combined with a cup of coffee.

That's my take :)
Thanks to http://bit.ly/fuGn8Z for the original post and to http://www.shape.com/  for the photo.