Chocolate Sauce » dark chocolate http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog Healthy chocolate and all things antioxidant Tue, 10 May 2011 04:00:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Dark Chocolate’s Effect on DNA http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2009/12/30/dark-chocolates-effect-on-dna/ http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2009/12/30/dark-chocolates-effect-on-dna/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:11:52 +0000 admin http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/?p=344 I’ve read several articles lately regarding telomeres. If you aren’t familiar with telomeres, they are structures that protect the ends of our chromosomes and allow them to be replicated properly during cell division. Elizabeth Blackburn, co-discoverer of telomerase, the enzyme that replenishes telomeres, compared them to the tips of shoelaces that [...]]]>
300px Parallel telomere quadruple Dark Chocolates Effect on DNA
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I’ve read several articles lately regarding telomeres. If you aren’t familiar with telomeres, they are structures that protect the ends of our chromosomes and allow them to be replicated properly during cell division. Elizabeth Blackburn, co-discoverer of telomerase, the enzyme that replenishes telomeres, compared them to the tips of shoelaces that keep them from fraying.

Telomeres can become shortened due to oxidative stress (those darn free radicals again), and many age-related diseases have been linked to shortened telomeres.* Several studies indicate that the polyphenols in dark chocolate may slow the shortening of telomeres, thus avoiding cellular damage.* At least one of the studies indicates that the effect is short-lived. The subjects’ blood levels were tested for the presence of the polyphenols in dark chocolate and after about 22 hours, there were no traces left in the blood. Looks like to get the best results, small quantities of dark chocolate must be consumed on a daily basis.*

However, you shouldn’t think that having long telomeres means that you will have a long life. The studies also show that most cancer cells bypass the normal shortening of telomeres, so they can outlive the normal cellular lifespan and continue to multiply. Scientists are exploring ways to block the production of telomerase as a cancer treatment.

One such study is by A. Spadafranca, C. Martinez Conesa, S. Sirini and G. Testolin Effect of dark chocolate on plasma epicatechin levels, DNA resistance to oxidative stress and total antioxidant activity in healthy subjects. British Journal of Nutrition, Published online by Cambridge University Press 05 Nov 2009 doi:10.1017/S0007114509992698

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Dark Chocolates Effect on DNA
]]> http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2009/12/30/dark-chocolates-effect-on-dna/feed/ 3 Top Foods for Heart Health http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2009/01/05/top-foods-for-heart-health/ http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2009/01/05/top-foods-for-heart-health/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:38:36 +0000 admin http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/?p=138 You’ve probably seen that the RealAge site is a favorite of mine. Once again they have an article regarding antioxidants and their action to decrease inflammation. They also mention dark chocolate!

Here’s a link to the original article:

YOU Staying Young Center — Top YOU Tip #1: Feed Your Heart

I don’t think you’ll see [...]]]> You’ve probably seen that the RealAge site is a favorite of mine. Once again they have an article regarding antioxidants and their action to decrease inflammation. They also mention dark chocolate!

Here’s a link to the original article:

YOU Staying Young Center — Top YOU Tip #1: Feed Your Heart

I don’t think you’ll see anything you didn’t already know, but as a wise man once said “The key to learning is repetition.” And he just said it again!

The article points out that the following foods are heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Fish
  • Alcohol
  • Foods with magnesium (whole grains, soybeans, lima beans, avocados and beets)
  • Dark chocolate

I know over the last couple of months I’ve slipped somewhat on the number servings of fruits and vegetables I eat each day. I’ve committed to eating more veggies. I’ve done a pretty good job of replacing unhealthy fats with healthy ones. Between eating fish and  taking pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, I get at least the minimum recommended amount of Omega-3 oils. We use olive oil almost exclusively in our house now. I eat small amounts of dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao) daily. I rarely eat white bread.

The article recommends 25% of your diet to come from healthy fats. Since the guideline is for total fat consumption to be 30% or less, there isn’t much room for anything but healthy fats!

]]> http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2009/01/05/top-foods-for-heart-health/feed/ 14 Another Cocoa Study Shows Positive Effects on Hypertension http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2008/02/21/another-cocoa-study-shows-positive-effects-on-hypertension/ http://www.antioxidantalley.com/blog/2008/02/21/another-cocoa-study-shows-positive-effects-on-hypertension/#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:31:32 +0000 jbchristensen http://chocolatesauce.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/another-cocoa-study-shows-positive-effects-on-hypertension/ Here’s a study from The Journal of the American Medical Association that shows that cocoa, or more specifically, the polyphenols in cocoa, has a positive effect on blood pressure. It points out several important facts:

It doesn’t need to be a huge quantity of dark chocolate to have an effect The dark chocolate must be [...]]]> Here’s a study from The Journal of the American Medical Association that shows that cocoa, or more specifically, the polyphenols in cocoa, has a positive effect on blood pressure. It points out several important facts:

  • It doesn’t need to be a huge quantity of dark chocolate to have an effect
  • The dark chocolate must be taken regularly
  • It must be taken on an ongoing basis

The study was performed on a rather small population (44 individuals) with untreated prehypertension (120-139/80-89) or stage 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99) without any other risk factors. According to the study, the prevalence of hypertension decreased from 86% to 68%. The participants were given either 6.3 g of dark chocolate containing 30 mg of polyphenols or the same amount of white chocolate which contained no polyphenols for a period of 18 weeks.

The study also points out that blood nitric oxide levels increased in the test participants. Nitric oxide is what triggers the dilation of the blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.

Here’s the link to the abstract of the study:

JAMA — Abstract: Effects of Low Habitual Cocoa Intake on Blood Pressure and Bioactive Nitric Oxide: A Randomized Controlled Trial, July 4, 2007, Taubert et al. 298 (1): 49

In my opinion, the thing about eating chocolate as a “medicine” is that healthy individuals probably wouldn’t feel any different, even though the polyphenols would be of benefit. Individuals with cardiovascular disease could probably measure an improvement and may feel healthier.

I know that has been the case with me.

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