by: Gerald Meyer
It's great news that research found a food that lowers blood pressure and is healthy for the heart and maybe more. The problem is that the chocolate most Americans consume is not the same kind. The more popular kinds of chocolate have little or no positive effect on your health. Only certain chocolate may be healthy.
Dark chocolate is the chocolate that was found to have positive effects on blood pressure. Participants given dark, milk, or white chocolate every day were evaluated in different studies. It turns out that dark chocolate contains important antioxidants called phenols. These natural compounds from the cocoa bean are known to increase nitric oxide, reduce platelet aggregation, and inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Cocoa can decrease blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and increase your insulin sensitivity. Milk and white chocolate are low in these antioxidants and do not have the same effect.
The problem is how chocolate is processed in this country. White chocolate, regardless of where you get it, actually contains no cocoa at all and is made only from cocoa butter; just the fat from the cocoa beans. It also contains no phenols. Most of the other chocolate we eat is made with "dutched" cocoa. The cocoa beans are treated with an alkaline solution to make them dark in color and to reduce the natural bitterness from the plant. But, it also reduces almost 90% of the phenols and most of its healthy benefits. The other problem is that when made into milk chocolate, the milk seems to prevent the phenols from being absorbed and, thus, negating any possible benefit from the chocolate.
The best chocolate for your health appears to be dark chocolate. In the European studies done, they ate 100gm of chocolate a day (100 grams equals approx. 3.5 ounces). That's the equivalent to 2 1/2 regular size Hershey's bars. It also adds about 550 calories to the diet. They were instructed to substitute this amount of calories from other foods they normally ate each day. You would have to do the same or forego its healthy benefits by increasing your waistline. European chocolate in general is healthier than that found in America due to the fact that it is less processed than ours and contains more of the heart healthy antioxidants. Dark chocolate is an acquired taste for most Americans since it is much more bitter than its milky counterpart.
So why is this research being touted as the 'best medical news in ages'? It appears to be one more way we look to justify the unhealthy diets we follow. When people hear that chocolate is now healthy, they don't hear any of the other restrictions involved, and don't want to. In fact, most people wouldn't want to change to a more bitter tasting chocolate and also cut out over 500 calories from their diets. Our diets already have enough sweets and this type of news only fuels the diabetic and obesity epidemics. This kind of medical news will only make most people add extra calories to their diets and increase their health problems.
About The Author
Gerald Meyer RPh, provides advice on weight loss. Information on the benefits of green tea and its antioxidant powers can be found at http://www.natural-weight-loss-programs.com. Free trials of green tea patches are available. Find out the benefit of green tea for yourself today. Learn about the new superfood ? the amazon super berry ? acai. Acai may be the most nutritious food in the world. MonaVie is the next generation of health food.
|
Best Recipes: Peppermint Cheesecake
Best Recipes: Peppermint Cheesecake
by: Donna Monday
This festive cheesecake is pretty in pink and perfect for Christmas or Valentine?s Day.
Crust
1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
Filling
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
? cup cold water
2 (8-oz.) containers soft cream cheese
? cup sugar
? cup milk
? cup crushed peppermint candy
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
2 (1.45-oz). milk chocolate candy bars, finely chopped
Toppings
whipped cream
crushed peppermint candy
chocolate shavings
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool.
Soften gelatin in water; stir over low heat until dissolved. Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well...
Best Recipes: Peppermint Cheesecake
Chocolate > Best Recipes: Peppermint Cheesecake
The Successful Dessert Party
The Successful Dessert Party
by: Kim Labarbera
What's wrong with this picture?
I used to serve delicious dinners with wonderful desserts (yes, I've checked around and they were wonderful) but, I knew that there was something missing. After working in the Food Service Industry, I learned that the little things complete the big picture.
It's not so hard
?For instance, the use of doilies placed on a dessert plate when serving a fine piece of cake. A nice espresso goes extra well with pastries (use espresso cups and saucers.)
?You can use wine or champagne glasses to serve desserts a la? mode. Chill your glasses before your guests arrive, then add some flavorful pound cake and ice cream. Try to have at least two flavors of ice cream to choose from.
Dessert ideas!
?Serve flavored coffee and fresh fruit. It can pass as dessert all by itself, if necessary. Don?t forget the Decaf.
?Keep frozen desserts, around. They...
The Successful Dessert Party
Chocolate > The Successful Dessert Party
Best Recipes: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Best Recipes: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
by: Donna Monday
Have a little fun with your plain ole cheesecake by adding some yummy chocolate chips. Another great way to use our favorite chocolate morsels.
Crust
1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
Filling
3 8-oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
? cup sugar
? cup flour
3 eggs
? cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate pieces
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Combine cream cheese, sugar and flour, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in sour cream and vanilla. Stir in chocolate pieces; pour over crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes.
Loosen...
Best Recipes: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Chocolate > Best Recipes: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Cozy Up With These ?Oh So Good? Hot Chocolate Recipes
Cozy Up With These ?Oh So Good? Hot Chocolate Recipes
by: Donna Monday
When it?s cold and
frosty outside, there?s nothing better than curling up with a nice big mug of homemade hot chocolate. Why pay several dollars for a cup of gourmet hot chocolate when you can easily learn how to make your own delicious hot chocolate drink?
You can make the classic creamy hot chocolate, or get a little adventurous and try the white chocolate or Mexican hot chocolate recipe. If you enjoy giving hot chocolate as a gift, then you may wish to make your own hot chocolate mix and put it in decorative glass jars.
The following hot chocolate recipes can be made the old fashioned way, using a pan and a stovetop. Or, you may wish to purchase a hot chocolate maker to speed things up.
However you decide to make it, you?ll definitely enjoy the aroma and flavors of a delicious hot chocolate drink tickling your taste buds, and warming your tummy during...
Cozy Up With These ?Oh So Good? Hot Chocolate Recipes
Chocolate > Cozy Up With These ?Oh So Good? Hot Chocolate Recipes