Chocolate University Online Blog
New research has shown that a 15-minute walk can cut down your consumption of chocolate by half during working hours.
The study was conducted by the University of Exeter. Turns out, workers eat only half as much chocolate as they normally would after this brief exercise, even when they’re in a rather stressful situation.
The study utilized a simulated work environment. 78 regular chocolate-eaters, who hadn’t had any chocolate in the past two days, participated.
Two groups were asked to walk on a treadmill for 15 minutes and were then given work to complete at a desk. One group’s tasks were easier and less stressful in comparison to the other group.
The other two groups were asked to rest before finishing the same tasks as the first batch. Like the first two groups, one group’s tasks were less challenging and less demanding. Chocolate was put in a bowl the whole time they were working so they could easily snack.
Those who had a brief walk on the treadmill consumed approximately 15g, those who had a rest ate about 28g. 15g is equivalent to a ‘treat size’ or ‘fun size’ chocolate bar.
The difficulty of the task they had to do didn’t affect their consumption of chocolate. Thus, stress did not have anything to do with their sweet-tooth cravings.
Professor Adrian Taylor of the University of Exeter, lead researcher, said: “We know that snacking on high calorie foods, like chocolate, at work can become a mindless habit and can lead to weight gain over time.”
“We often feel that these snacks give us an energy boost, or help us deal with the stress of our jobs, including boredom. People often find it difficult to cut down on their daily treats but this study shows that by taking a short walk, they are able to regulate their intake by half,” he added.
Indeed, exercise can have such amazing effects on mood and energy levels that it is even considered as having the potential in managing addictions.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate science, chocolate studies, research
New studies have revealed that a moderate amount of high quality dark chocolate can be as good as a session in the gym. Cocoa was found to contain a certain compound called epicatechin and this allegedly enhances muscle the same way exercising does.
Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, conducted an experiment on three groups of 12-month-old mice, the equivalent of middle aged humans: one was given epicatechin twice a day for 15 days, the second one was given epicatechin as well and spent 30 minutes on a treadmill, while the third exercised without receiving the extract.
There was an observed increase in the number of energy-producing mitochondria, the ‘powerhouses’ of cells, in the mice that only took epicatechin and they had significantly better muscle performance and took longer to tire than those that only exercised. It was unusual as these mitochondria are normally a byproduct of getting aerobic exercise such as running or cycling.
More mitochondria equal more energy, enabling you to perform work longer. The research team is hoping that their studies could ultimately be of help in counteracting the dreaded age-related muscle wasting.
According to research leader Dr Moh Malek: “Those getting only epicatechin had a significantly better muscle performance and took longer to tire than those that only exercised. The group doing both showed even greater improvement, so it appears epicatechin combined with exercise may be a viable means to offset muscle ageing.”
They were fascinated to know how natural products can imitate and improve the effects of exercise. Unluckily, the study is too premature for them to conclude that humans could get the same benefits as the mice.
Dr Malek also added: ”At the moment it would be a leap of faith to say the same effects would be seen in humans. But it is something we hope to identify in future studies.”
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate facts, chocolate science, chocolate studies, epicatechin, research
Chocolate as a skin care product? Say what? It is being said that ingesting chocolate (not putting on the skin!) does not only satisfy sweet tooth cravings but also protects against sunburn now. Sounds wacky, doesn’t it? Gone are the days when chocolate was generally synonymous to bad skin. Imagine enjoying in this decadent treat and seeing your skin get better than ever!
Chocolate happens to have a significant amount of protective antioxidants known as Polyphenols (also found in coffee and wine) which makes it possible for you to indulge in its skin benefit due to its ability to reduce ongoing cellular damage. This certain compound, according to studies, does not only enrich the skin but it also offers protection from harmful UV light exposure making skin less sensitive to the sun. Polyphenols are said to increase blood flow close to the skin causing all these skin improvements.
Quebec’s Laval University’s Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods are presently conducting an experiment to fair-skinned female volunteers. They are instructed to consume three squares of chocolate every day for 12 weeks and they are being exposed to the sun for a certain stretch of time and then the scientists will be monitoring their skin for UV rays damage. This has yet to have conclusion as they have only reached half of their subjects. If you are reading this and you happen to be a fair-skinned female, you might as well want to go up to Canada and volunteer for the experiment too so we would finally know what’s what!
Here are some other interesting stuff that make chocolate a craze in skin care industry (at least in theory):
1. It has skin softening abilities because of the cocoa butter.
2. It can used to get rid of skin wrinkles due to the anti-oxidant properties.
3. Hydration of the skin is achievable.
4. Chocolate is a good moisturizer.
5. It revitalizes the skin.
6. It may protect against some common health problems and possibly certain effects of aging.
Even without all these amazing effects on the skin, chocolate all its own is irresistible. It’s just astonishing to imagine that looking good can be this yummy!
Categories: chocolate education, chocolate in the news
Tags: antioxidants, chocolate studies, polyphenols, research
 The month of October 2010 marked the tenth anniversary of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF).
During a recent two-day partnership meeting in Washington, D.C., the foundation focused on the theme “Marking a Decade of Cocoa Sustainability”
Some of the leading members of the WCF were there, representing many large and influential chocolate manufacturers including: Blommer Chocolate Company, Kraft Foods, The Hershey Company, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Olam International Ltd., Armajaro, and Casa Luker Colombia. WCF members represent more than 80% of the global cocoa market.
There were sessions during the meeting that talked about moving forward on subjects like cocoa and the environment, child labor, emerging markets, diversification, food security, and more cocoa research.
WCF is an international foundation committed to promoting a sustainable cocoa economy. The goal is to help increase the supply of cocoa while increasing the quality of life for those that farm cacao and their families and communities.
For more information, visit www.worldcocoa.org.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: cocoa, research, world chocolate, World Cocoa Foundation
Is it really possible to get sick of eating chocolate?
According to feedback from participants in a medical research study out of Australia, it is! What, no way! Sure enough, read on…
 Heart patients were given 50 grams of 70% chocolate to be consumed daily as medicine during a research study on how the antioxidants in chocolate help control blood pressure.
By the end of the study, many participants said they would rather take a pill containing the antioxidants than eat any more chocolate. About half the people in the study found the chocolate difficult to eat because of the strong flavor and about 20 percent “considered it an unacceptable long-term treatment option” over the concern for the fat and calories from the chocolate.
Although I wouldn’t have a problem eating 50 grams of 70% chocolate each day (ahem, I do eat 50 grams of 70% a day), I guess I can understand where they are coming from. First of all, if you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate is not going to stay palatable for very long, and second, who wants to take chocolate as medicine – dispensed like a prescription drug? I mean, besides a freak like me?
The good news is, the study found dark chocolate to be very helpful in reducing blood pressure.
I doubt that doctors will start handing out chocolate instead of pill prescriptions (but one can dream) so for now, eat chocolate because it is fun and has great flavor. Oh, and because it is good for you, too!
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: antioxidants, dark chocolate, research
According to the USDA website, www.usda.gov, chocolate and cocoa powder contain “hefty quantities of natural antioxidants called flavonoids…..antioxidants are thought to be effective in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke.”
How do anti-oxidants help us? “Anti”-oxidants counteract the negative effects of oxidation on our bodies. Oxidation damages cells and tissues. What is oxidation, you ask?
 Here’s a simple example that you’re familiar with. Think of a slice of apple turning brown shortly after you cut it. This is discoloring demonstrates the damage that oxidation causes on the cells of the apple. If instead of leaving the slice out in the open air, you dip immediately in some lemon juice, the brown oxidative damage slows w-a-y down. In this case the lemon juice is the antioxidant.
Our bodies are naturally good at fighting oxidation but it becomes more difficult as we grow older. Eating foods high in antioxidants can give our aging bodies a boost. Research has shown that red and purple colored fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, but chocolate and cocoa are among the highest in antioxidant power!
Researchers measure the effectiveness of foods containing antioxidants. Here is a handy chart of the top five foods packing a punch.
| Foods High in Antioxidants |
ORAC Score* |
| Unprocessed Cacao Bean |
26,000 |
| Goji Berries |
25,300 |
| Acai Berries |
18,000 |
| Dark Chocolate |
13,120 |
| Black Raspberries |
7,700 |
* Note that numbers will vary based on sample and other factors, but generally the order remains the same.
By the way, milk chocolate comes in a little lower, with an ORAC score of 6,740.
Some studies suggest that we should eat between 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units a day, while the average person only takes in about 1,200 ORAC units per day.
You know what that means, don’t you? EAT MORE CHOCOLATE. You don’t have to tell me twice!
Categories: chocolate education
Tags: antioxidants, cocoa, dark chocolate, healthy chocolate, milk chocolate, research
Research shows that chocolate milk might be just as good as sports drinks to help athletes recover from intense exercise. This information comes out of a small study from James Madison University in Virginia as presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine.
I like to ride my bicycle for hours at a time and have often enjoyed a glass of chocolate milk upon my return. My logic was that the milk contained some protein so it’s probably a good thing for muscles. Milk also contains fluid for rehydration, as well as minerals like calcium and magnesium, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and carbohydrates including lactose. These are all good for recovery after exercise and occur naturally in milk.
During the reported study 13 soccer players were given either low-fat chocolate milk or a high-carbohydrate sports drink. Then researchers measured blood levels of creatine kinase, an indicator of muscle breakdown. The players who drank the chocolate milk had lower levels of this chemical, indicating less muscle damage. Furthermore, based on measurements of players subjective reporting, there was no difference between milk and the sports drink as far as tiredness, muscle soreness, and muscle strength.
OK, the study was small, with only 13 players, but I think this clearly points out an alternative to expensive sports drinks. And, this is especially good news for chocolate lovers who can now claim that their chocolate milk is a good part of their exercise program!
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate milk, research
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