Chocolate for Health, Happiness, and Love

The ancient Mayans honored cacao for all of its medicinal properties. The Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs cultivated the cacao tree and it was often used as an aphrodisiac by the affluent and rich. Even in this modern scientific age, we place equal attention on the benefits of cocoa as a “love potion” as well as a heart tonic.

Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are a symbol of Valentine’s Day around the world. The roots of Valentine’s Day go back to Ancient Roman times. Chocolate candy gift giving is a recent development; could it be the result of chocolate’s reputation as an aphrodisiac?

St. Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday first appeared in the writings of Chaucer in 1382. During the medieval period there was a new focus on chaste courtly love and this is when the familiar symbols of love began to appear--knights would give roses to their maidens and celebrate their beauty in songs from afar.

By the 1840s, Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday was celebrated in most of the English-speaking world. Richard Cadbury, a British chocolate manufacturer, created what was then called “eating chocolate.” Cadbury began marketing the new chocolate and sold them in beautifully decorated boxes.

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. Due to its many health effects, the Mayans considered hot cocoa the drink of gods. The scientific name of the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao, was derived from the Greek words theo (God) and broma (drink). The Swedish naturalist Carl Von Linné named the tree in the 1700s. Chocolate had great symbolic social, religious, and economic importance in both New and Old World cultures.

Although cacao is native to Central and South America, Africa now grows about 70% of the world’s cacao. The football shaped pod, or fruit, grows from the branches or straight out of the trunk. The pods encase a sticky white pulp and about 30 or 40 seeds. The pulp tastes both sweet and tart and is eaten or used in making drinks. If you to bite into a seed straight out of the pod, it is incredibly bitter.

Drinkable chocolate has been used for years to treat ailments. Spanish explorers brought chocolate back to Europe in the 16th century where sweetened warm versions considered a health elixir were consumed. From the 16th to 19th centuries, hot chocolate was valued as a special drink, as well as taken as a medicine. In France during the 17th century, the French drank it to fight against fits of anger and bad moods.

Modern research has discovered that chocolate reduces levels of stress hormones in the body. Cocoa’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties come from the abundant flavonols. It is best to avoid the overly processed chocolate, found in the candy aisle, which contains added sugar and saturated fatty acids that counter cocoa's inherent health benefits. It is best to choose the dark, flavanol-rich chocolate bars.

Should you worry about eating chocolate? Researchers, Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. of Yale University, tell us the research indicates the benefits of moderate cocoa or dark chocolate consumption outweigh the potential risks of over consumption, including increased risk of weight gain.

Cocoa contains more antioxidants than most foods and has anti-inflammatory effects beneficial to heart health. Cocoa may directly influence insulin resistance and as a result reduce the risk of diabetes. Further, cocoa consumption may stimulate the immune response. Cocoa can protect nerves from injury and inflammation, protect the skin from oxidative, UV radiation damage, and improve cognitive function and mood.

A 9-year study of over 30,000 women in Sweden found that those who consumed up to an ounce of high-quality chocolate high in cocoa content 1 to 3 times per month had a 26% lower risk of developing heart failure. Women who ate 1 to 2 servings per week displayed a 32% heart failure risk reduction. The European Heart Journal reported that daily dark chocolate consumption over a 4-week period improved concerns in patients with congestive heart failure.

Research continues to demonstrate that antioxidants, such as those in cacao, help prevent cancer, heart disease, age-related macular degeneration and aging in general because they fight free radicals in the body.

A Cornell University study shows the antioxidant concentration in hot cocoa is almost twice as strong as red wine. Cocoa's antioxidant concentration is two to three times stronger than that of green tea and four to five times stronger than that of black tea. Professor Chang Yong Lee added that more antioxidants are released when it's heated up.

The flavonoids help your body process pout nitric oxide improving blood flow, helping to lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Flavonoids also help prevent the blood platelets from mingling together and forming clots. This sounds much healthier than taking blood thinning medication. Recent research demonstrates chocolate, like aspirin, has a biochemical effect that reduces the clumping of platelets, which cause blood to clot.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science reports drinking hot chocolate can help you think better. The flavonoids increase the blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Researchers think dementia could be treated with cocoa which works by increasing blood flow to the brain.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in partnership with candy maker Mars, Inc. have launched a three-year study on the topic, Will Taking Chocolate Pills Improve Heart Health? It will be the first large study, involving 18,000 people, to look into the potential role of cocoa flavanols in high-dose form, without the added sugar and fat of chocolate.

Chocolate has been shown to produce higher levels of physical energy and mental alertness. Cacao is: Anti-inflammatory Anti-carcinogenic Anti-thrombotic, Lowers Alzheimer's risk, Anti-diabetic and Anti-obesity. It improves liver function for those with cirrhosis, is neuro-protective and improves gastrointestinal flora. It also reduces stress hormones, and symptoms of glaucoma and cataracts. It can slow the progression of periodontitis, improve exercise endurance, may help extend lifespan, and protects against preeclampsia in pregnant women.

Commercial instant hot cocoa mixes should be avoided. Most popular mixes list cocoa as down on the list of ingredients behind higher-level ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup and a medley of vegetable oils. These ingredients tend to eradicate any benefits the cocoa may have to offer. There are several websites on how to make  healthy versions of instant cocoa from scratch.

Jaymi Heimbuch of the website Mother Nature Network suggests one of the easiest ways to include more cocoa in you diet is to sprinkle it over fresh fruit. She gives us these tips for buying cocoa powder:

•    Look for certified fair trade. There are many great brands to choose from, and you're helping to ensure workers get a living wage.

•    Look for organic. It's true that not all organic cocoa tastes as good as non-organic, so you'll have to test a few out and see what you like best. But if you can, go for organic.

•    Look for a higher fat content. Yep, you read that right. The really good cocoa that has lots of flavor (and therefore is more satisfying and you won't need to use as much) has as much as 24 percent more fat than the cheap stuff.

•    Make sure you're getting unsweetened cocoa powder, and not something that has sugars mixed in. Avoid packages labeled "ground chocolate" as this is a basically powdered chocolate bar with added stuff we're trying to avoid in the first place. Make sure the only ingredient is cocoa.

Any time, not just Valentine’s Day, is a great time for giving chocolates to those we love! And don’t forget yourself----have a headache? It’s hot cocoa time.

http://facts-about-chocolate.com/where-does-chocolate-come-from/

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/stories/7-health-benefits-of-drinking-hot-cocoa#ixzz37wYTB3Fj

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/03/31/dark-chocolate-health-benefits.aspx

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270272.php

Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011 Nov 15;15(10):2779-811. doi: 10.1089/ars.2010.3697.

Epub 2011 Jun 13.

http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/celebrating-valentines-day-with-a-box-of-chocolates

Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention

Winter in St. Louis has been gloomy—week after week of gray sky. On the very occasional day we had sunshine, I made a point of taking a walk. I am a sun lover and have a habit of getting out in the sun everyday when the weather cooperates—before 11:00, or after 3:00—I don’t like to use sunscreen. Skin needs to be bare to turn the sun’s light into Vitamin D.

Dr. Mercola, on his health and wellness website, tells us vitamin D is one of the simplest solutions to wide-ranging health problems. He considers vitamin D deficiency to be pandemic in the United States. Many Americans are not aware that they may be lacking this important nutrient. 

Vitamin D is not a regular vitamin; rather it is a steroid hormone that you get primarily from either sun exposure or supplementation. Marcela states vitamin D has the ability to influence genetic expression that produces many of its wide-ranging health benefits. Research studies have shown that increasing levels of vitamin D3 can prevent many chronic diseases. They believe the incidence of several types of cancer could be slashed in half.

Dr. Mercola interviewed Dr. Michael Holick, a leading vitamin D researcher, who expounds on these and many other health benefits of vitamin D in his book, The Vitamin D Solution. Holick, an MD and a PhD, tell us D also fights infections including colds and the flu. It regulates the expression of genes that influence your immune system to attack and destroy bacteria and viruses.

Dr. Holick says. "We had shown many years ago that during the winter time, if you live [north of] Atlanta, Georgia, you basically cannot make any vitamin D in your skin from about November through March. Obviously, you need to either take a supplement or use a tanning bed or an ultraviolet light that will produce vitamin D... I typically recommend, if you're going to go out into the sun, expose your arms, legs, abdomen and back, two to three times a week for about half the time it would take to get a mild sunburn... [W] hen you make vitamin D in your skin, it lasts two to three times longer in your body.”

Dr. Edward Group, DC, and NP, recommends vitamin D3 because it is the most bioavailability form of vitamin D. Group warns we are all at risk to be deficient of this crucial element. Vitamin D is essential for the regulation of calcium and phosphorus in the body and maintaining proper bone structure. 



The easiest and most reliable way to get vitamin D is through sun exposure. To produce enough vitamin D, the hands, face, arms, and legs need to be exposed to sunlight a minimum of two to three times a week for a quarter of the time it takes to develop mild sunburn. Exposure time varies with age, skin type, season, and time of day. Group tells us good levels of vitamin D can be restored by sunlight quickly---6 days of casual sunlight exposure without sunscreen can make up for 49 days of no sunlight exposure.  Vitamin D is stored in body fat during periods of sunlight and i.e. then released when sunlight is gone. 



If you live in Canada and the northern half of the US you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. D deficiency also occurs in sunny climates when people are stay indoors more, cover up outside, or consistently use sunscreens to reduce skin cancer risk. Older people are at risk for vitamin D deficiency because they are less likely to spend time in the sun, have fewer “receptors” in their skin to convert sunlight to vitamin D, may not get vitamin D in their diet, and may have trouble absorbing vitamin D or may have more trouble converting dietary D to a useful form because of aging kidneys.

Studies show the risk for vitamin D deficiency in people over 65 years of age is high. Nearly 40% of older people, even in sunny climates such as South Florida, don’t have enough vitamin D in their systems. Dr. Group reports vitamin D supplements may be needed by older people, individuals living in northern latitudes, and “for dark-skinned people who need extra time in the sun, but don’t get it.”


Vitamin D supplements prevent bone loss in people taking drugs called corticosteroids and when taken with calcium seems to improve bone density in people with existing bone loss caused by using corticosteroids. Older people who do not have enough vitamin D tend to fall more often than those with adequate levels Also, vitamin D, in combination with calcium may prevent falls by decreasing body sway and blood pressure especially in women and those living in hospitals or residential care facilities. Taking a specific form of vitamin D called cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) along with calcium seems to help prevent bone loss, Osteoporosis (weak bones), and bone breaks.

Some research shows a high-dose vitamin D supplement plus calcium may lower risk of developing certain types of cancer. Those taking vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) have a 49% reduced risk of cavities. Research shows school aged children taking a vitamin D supplement during winter have a reduced chance of developing seasonal flu, as well as, asthma attack triggered by a cold or other respiratory infection. Individuals with lower vitamin D levels are more likely to be obese while women taking calcium plus vitamin D are more likely to lose weight and maintain their weight.

                       

Research over the last few years demonstrates a correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a potent immune system modulator, which modulate the immune response and strengthen immune defenses. A study showed high ­dose Vitamin D supplementation resulted in RA symptom improvements in an astonishing 89% of patients and 45% of patients obtaining complete remission.

If you choose to use a tanning bed to increase vitamin D synthesis, Dr. Holick recommends protecting your face, and to only go in for half the time recommended for tanning. The tanning bed you're using needs to put out UVB radiation. It is the UVB that interacts with the skin to create vitamin D.

Many tanning beds on the market that only put out UVA, which creates a tan. UVA rays are the ones responsible for skin damage and they do NOT make your skin produce vitamin D. He tells us beds tend to vary between three to 10 percent UVB and the higher the percentage of UVB the better. There are also beds that make UVB only. A UVB only bed won't make you tan. However, for the health benefits a UVB tanning bed is certainly a great option.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/22/dr-holick-vitamin-d-benefits.aspx

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/3-amazing-health-benefits-vitamin-d3/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-929-VITAMIN%20D.aspx?activeIngredientId=929&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN%20D