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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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April 7, 2009 |
A Publication of QVHD |
Go Ahead, Eat Chocolate?!
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
Nutrition research is a
continuous search for “cures” for diseases from the natural world. For
example, recent studies have focused on the healing powers of turmeric,
used for centuries by ancient cultures for better health, and its
ability to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Wouldn't it be great if we could
cure or prevent diseases through the foods we eat? The search process
often leads to small studies which generate interesting findings. Most
of the time, more research is needed to prove a direct relationship
between the natural nutrient studied and the end effect. But in the
interim, the results are picked up by the media and inflated into
something more meaningful than the results merit. So what's hot right
now? CHOCOLATE!
Chocolate (and many other foods) contain flavonoids, one of those
natural nutrients that have been receiving a lot of attention and study.
Flavonoids are antioxidants. The science behind these terms is somewhat
complicated and probably not that important to understand. But since
there is so much in the media and advertisements about antioxidants, you
should have a basic understanding of what they mean.
Simply stated, an antioxidant is a chemical compound or substance that
keeps molecules from oxidizing. Oxidation can change the chemical
structure of a molecule which can lead to damage (such as a cell
becoming cancerous.) In the lab in test tubes, this concept holds true:
antioxidants do protect molecules. Therefore, antioxidants are often
added as a preservative to food products to prevent or delay
deterioration from the action of the air. But in the body, they do not
have the same results.
Antioxidants include: Vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene (which
converts vitamin A), lycopene (found in tomatoes), selenium, flavonoids
(found in apples, onions and chocolate), anthocynins found in grapes,
catechins found in chocolate, tea and red wine, isoflavones, found in
soy, hydroxycinnamic acids found in coffee and reveratral, found in red
wine. This has turned many foods into “superstars” according to the food
industry. Flavonoids seem to be the current “darling” in the spotlight.
So what is the story with chocolate? Most of the research studies were
small and many were funded by the chocolate industry. But it does appear
that dark chocolate may have some positive health effects on blood
pressure and blood flow. However, you have to keep in mind that
chocolate also has sugar and saturated fats so you can't eat as much as
you want. And the question still has not been answered: Do the positive
effects of chocolate get cancelled by the negative effects of the
saturated fat and sugar? Chocolate is not really the “health food” that
advertisers would like you to believe it is.
For now it seems that a small amount of dark chocolate on a daily basis
may help to decrease your blood pressure and improve your blood flow.
But keep it to small amounts. Be mindful of the amount of sugar. You can
also increase your flavonoids from eating things like berries and a
variety of vegetables. Maybe they aren't as appealing as chocolate, but
they do the same thing better, because of their other health benefits!
For more information on flavonoids and a listing of various chocolate
products, District residents can call QVHD, 248-4528 or request on line,
www.qvhd.org.
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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