Tag Archive: chocolate science

Chocolate and the pseudo-morphine effects on the Human Brain

Endorphins are chemicals that are endogenously occurring and are functioning as good and efficient neurotransmitters. These are produced mainly by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus during the experience of pain, excitement, exercise, spicy foods and yes, love.

Another derivative of endorphin, known as enkephalin, is a peptide that is able to do the activation of many cerebral opioid receptors that are responsible for the intense and insatiable drive for eating that can be compared to the same mechanism of narcotics that are bound to kill pain.

Eating in bulk, and even consistent small frequent feedings, are revolved around the idea of being overly compulsive and doing some kind of over-consumption that triggers the brain’s reward and satiety center.
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Probiotic Chocolate Biscuits

Truth be told, I am a chocolate addict just like all the other millions of people in the world. I could finish a whole bar of milk chocolate all to myself or consume a liter of chocolate drink in one sitting.

But at the back of this chocolate obsession attitude of mine is the thought of making the most out of everything while I still can. I may be young and active now. But who know what follows five, ten, or twenty years from now?
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Chocolate makes snails smarter?

There have been lots of rumors and talks about foods that are designed to enhance brain functions. And this has taken the world’s imagination by storm. If you happen to type the word "superfood" and search for it in the internet, you will be surprised to see many and diverse websites that are dedicated to this topic.

A dedicated group of researchers from the University of Calgary has become fascinated and curious about how certain dietary factors can really have an effect on memory, either impairing or enhancing it. Initially Ken Lukowiak was very skeptical regarding this matter. He stated,  "I didn’t think any of this stuff would work."
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Chocolate for an Ageless Mind

People have that bad habit of denying the fact that they are getting older. But sorry to burst your bubble... A quick reality check suggests that you are not getting younger anymore.

Well, you the consolation that no one else on this planet is getting younger either. We all go through the same process. No one gets a VIP pass or a special treatment. That is just the way it rolls.

As much as you want to remain at your current number, no one ages backwards for Pete’s sake. To not reveal your real age may come off as a routine position, but at the end of the day, the joke is still on you.
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Health Buffs, This Chocolate Is For You

Since day one of my life, well pretty much the day when I started to care about life in general, I have never managed to drag myself into being body-conscious.

I’m not sure if that is totally bad, but I know it is not the best trait to brag about. I guess the closest thing I have had to physically demanding activity were the physical education classes back in school (which I had no way out of because my grades were at stake), the different dances I joined in (for the sake of social programs), and a number of jogging mornings with friends (just for the reward of doing breakfast afterwards).

This may sound awful, but as embarrassing as it may sound, I just didn’t consider it as a priority.  For this I am thankful for this body my Momma gave me. Haha. I just had to insert that.
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Chocolate: Not Your Child’s Best Friend

I was once a little child, innocent and fun-lovin'. All that mattered to me was waking up in the morning and rushing downstairs to play with my toys or go outside the house and play with my friends.

I did not mind what I was eating, surprise surprise. It was my parents' or my guardians' job to prepare my meal. I just thought then that they were adults, thus they should know better about what to give to a child like me with a devil-may-care attitude.

As I grew older and became more aware of my surroundings, I started having a hard time dealing with food. I became an uberpicky eater. I was crazy stubborn. I can even imagine my mom nodding in agreement right now. I would just sit on the couch and watch trash TV rather than staying at the dining table to eat. They would have to run around just to catch me and shove something into my mouth.
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Dark Chocolate for Reducing Cardiac Diseases

As a self-proclaimed and a self-confessed chocoholic, I have always been particularly keen about the things I come across on the Internet that talk about my favorite sweet treat. In recent years, there have been many stories about the health benefits that dark chocolates are able to provide.

Recent research brings up a certain metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of many risk factors that include an elevated blood pressure as well as high cholesterol and abdominal obesity.  This condition places a person in a position that can lead to diseases like coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many different types of carcinoma or cancer. The participants in the study showed no symptoms of coronary heart disease, and were not takers of any medications that can lower blood pressure.
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Breathable Chocolate

Avid chocolate lovers and chocoholics will surely love this recent advancement in the chocolate industry... the ability to enjoy chocolate without any trace of calories!

An aerosol container that is shaped as a lipstick is now being used to spray minute particles of dark chocolate into the mouth which provides the sweet pleasure of the real thing while providing zero calories.

People who are on a rigid diet may also find the simple taste to have an effect on their appetite. Recently, a Harvard professor who goes by the name of David Edwards has invented an aerosol type spray call Le Whif.  He indicated that we only need a little amount of chocolate for us to have our tastebuds satisfied.
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Chocolate Better Than Fruit Juices

Chocolate is deemed healthier compared to a lot of fruit juices. It's even considered as a superfood in its own right, according to a recent research conducted by an American-based chocolate company.

Superfoods are foods that contain high levels of compounds and antioxidants that help in preventing damage to healthy cells. Scientists from the Hershey Centre for Health & Nutrition in America discovered that powdered dark chocolate contains higher amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants, which are known to protect cardiac conditions and cancer.

Take fruit juice out of the picture as chocolate proves to be much better in boosting one's health, a recent study has indicated. Cocoa and dark chocolate have higher antioxidant capacity compared to fruit juices, such as pomegranate, cranberry, and blueberry powder, based on a study seen in Chemistry Central Journal.
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3D Chocolate Printing

The concept of 3D printing is not a new concept.  It involves layer by layer printing of three-dimensional objects.  Printing plastic-like 3D objects is a commonplace. Why not print 3D food items, right?

The concept of a 3D chocolate printer is not the latest one, either. The ideas has been around since 2007. However, it is still working its magic.

The reason why this quirky 3D chocolate printer is creating a buzz lately is because the masterminds at Choc Edge finally made it available to the masses. It's called Choc Creator Version 1.  It's really cool, but not priced for home use.
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