Posted on 03/27/2012 2:07:44 PM PDT by Innovative
The study found that people who frequently ate chocolate had a lower body mass index (BMI) than people who didn't.
The researchers found that the participants - who were an average age of 57 - ate chocolate for an average of twice of week and exercised roughly 3.5 times per week. But the more frequent chocolate-eaters had smaller BMIs, a ratio of height and weight that's used to measure obesity.
What explains the effect? Even though chocolate can be loaded with calories, it's full of antioxidants and other ingredients that may promote weight loss, the researchers said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Happy, happy, joy, joy!!!!!!!
The Aztec and Myans discovered the health benefits of chocolate more than 1500 years ago. They use to drink it in a liquid form that was pure and very bitter. They added spices etc. so they could drink it.
When the Europeans found the new world they took the cocoa beans back to Europe, but knew the Europeans wouldn’t consume it because it was so bitter. The bitterness was (bio-active phytonutrients) which is basically the good stuff.
The Europeans then roasted and alkalized the cocoa beans, added refined, processed sugar, waxes, fillers, milk, etc. to make it taste better so they then had a market for it. This is what is known as the “Dutching Process”. This is also what made chocolate into candy.
The studies we are seeing today that show dark chocolate can have health benefits is basically the cocoa bean without the “Dutching” Process.
Hershey bars are full of refined sugar and milk. You need to eat 85% or higher coco content for the chocolate to be good for you.
...and a hot fudge Sunday every day when I started working. I weigh the same as when I was 17...and I’m 68. I’m also fortunate to have good genes.
You are correct on the sugar and milk, but the % cocoa is different. What's important about the health benefits of Cocoa and is not it's percentage but if it has been roasted during the process.
Roasting destroys between 50-75% of the good bio active phyto-nutrients. As you know in nutrition when you cook veggies you destroy the nutrient value.
Do you have any easily available brand suggestions?
Why must you ruin my delusion?
Hmm, I have bought bulk cocoa powder with no added ingredients - just plain, no sugar, nothing else, with the label “dutched”. I will have to look into this. I am not a huge chocolate fan but it has to be bittersweet or semisweet, milk chocolate has always made me gag.
I just make food with chocolate in it occasionally but heck, if it’s healthy, I’ll cook it more often.
So even roasting is bad? Is regular plain cocoa powder roasted?
I don’t agree that cooking vegies destroys nutrients thought. Raw potoates? ick.
You probably have your best chance for healthy chocolate with the regular plain cocoa powder.
They do have unprocessed cocoa powder which would be best. Just check the label.
Shut UP!!!! Do NOT listen to him, MM. That stuff is nasty. Send it to me. I will dispose of it in a safe and responsible manner. No charge!
Everyone loves to hear good new about their bad habits.
In other words, "chocolate is good for you."
Thanks. I usually buy it in bulk bins because it’s much cheaper and I don’t recall any ingredients in it other than “cocoa”. I don’t eat any food with odd ingredients; actually we cook everything from scratch, mostly organic.
I like “Endangered Species” brand 88% bar myself. You can get it at any Whole Foods, or health store. Amazon.com has it as well.
Interesting. I had read that the method of cooking counts for alot. Steaming is the best, and can actually realease more nutrients in some cases. I do always try to go for “raw” almond butter and cashew butter.
In other words, "chocolate is good for you."
Yes, the right chocolate can be good for you. Since this article is about weight loss and chocolate I want to point out a study which was just published in the current "American Journal of Bariatric Medicine". First of all, Bariatric Physicians are the MD's who specialize in weight loss. The featured study about weight loss and chocolate is on the front cover of their journal. It is entitled "Weight Loss Study Using a High Antioxidant Cocoa Meal Replacement and Lifestyle Intervention".
It was 50 individuals in a 12 week study who all finished and the average weight loss was 31.4 lbs. and an average decrease in waist circumference of 5.8 inches.
Not one person dropped out of the study and none experienced hunger.
A host of wellness factors including glucose management and others had amazing results. Not to mention patient compliance was very high.
It is suggested this study may change the weight loss industry so please stat tuned.
So yes, "Chocolate can be good for you."
It sounds like you are on the right track.
With respect to the cocoa bean if the processing temp. stays under approx. 120 degrees it will maintain nearly all of it's antioxidants. This comes from the fact antioxidants protect the cocoa beans and the beans can be grown in a climate where the temperature reaches up to 120 degrees.
Temperatures over that tend to destroy the bio active phyto-nutriants. In other words, the "good stuff."
Thanks for the info.
Also, love your tagline! :)
“(It’s ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ Obama, not ‘WE THE SHEEPLE’!) “
Best thread of the day!
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