[lorac]

Okay, for all of you dark chocolate lovers (and those who don't like it) check this out. I copied it from a recent newsletter email I received from Care2.com. So dark Chocolate is healthy and a very necessary part of your diet. Dark Chocolate here I come. WAHOO!



OK, honestly? It doesn’t take a scientist to tell me that chocolate makes me feel better. But they’re saying it anyway–new evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress was just published in “Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects.” I don’t know how my gut microbiota feel about it, but it’s doing wonders for my mood.

The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar, and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.

In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say. Sign me up!

[countrydi]

WooHoo....a great reason to




Pass the chocolate please!!


I wonder how much 1.4 ozs is? Anyone know?

[lorac]

countrydi, on 15 November 2009 - 11:01 AM, said:

WooHoo....a great reason to




Pass the chocolate please!!


I wonder how much 1.4 ozs is? Anyone know?

With our luck, probably one piece.

[angelaNussbaum]

DH saw that on the news last night and got excited. Told me i needed more chocolate... silly man!

[RosemaryS]

Of course it's good for you! We all knew that a LONG time ago

[patsyt]

I always knew it was OK to love dark chocolate!

[shellbw]

It's a good thing I keep a supply of chocolate around! It is a great mood booster. Now there is a study to show it. Wahoo!!!!!!!

[Smiles]

This is great news! I'm sharing it with all my friends and family!

I checked the back of my bag of Hershey's Special Dark Nuggets with almonds.
I serving size is 4 pieces. The bag has 12 oz, and contains "about" 9 servings.
Don't you hate word problems? My math is rusty, but I think that comes out to between 1.3 and 1.4 oz.

[AnnBK]

Forget the math, just eat the chocolate...I don't like any of it except for the dark...and I have a hidden stash....don't even ask, I'm not telling

[StephRN]

AnnBK, on 15 November 2009 - 08:34 PM, said:

Forget the math, just eat the chocolate...I don't like any of it except for the dark...and I have a hidden stash....don't even ask, I'm not telling

I agree. Math is evil when it comes to calories or chocolate. Just load up on the health benefits and call it a day. I'm going to enlarge my secret stash. Yay for dark chocolate. BTW, do they make dark chocolate in the hot chocolate form? Mmmmm, it sounds like there's some yummy research in my near future.

[AnnBK]

StephRN, on 15 November 2009 - 08:39 PM, said:

AnnBK, on 15 November 2009 - 08:34 PM, said:

Forget the math, just eat the chocolate...I don't like any of it except for the dark...and I have a hidden stash....don't even ask, I'm not telling

I agree. Math is evil when it comes to calories or chocolate. Just load up on the health benefits and call it a day. I'm going to enlarge my secret stash. Yay for dark chocolate. BTW, do they make dark chocolate in the hot chocolate form? Mmmmm, it sounds like there's some yummy research in my near future.

I know you can do it as a fondue...just melt it with a little milk or cream and then dip your favorite fruit or cake.....or just grab a spoon.

[Smiles]

Hershey's cocoa is the non-dutched kind. Non-dutched has the most antioxidants.
Hershey's is probably the most cost effective non-dutched.
From scratch cocoa is definitely the healthiest kind, and it's not really that hard to make.
Adding cinnamon adds even more health benefits.
I usually make a quart at a time, with splenda, and keep it in the fridge. (it's relatively low carb, too)
You do have to stir it up each time, but it tastes SO wonderful!
If you're making a chocolate cake from a mix, add some plain cocoa powder - it will definitely improve the health benefits and the taste.

[Betsy]

Chocolate = yum!

[goodqueenbee]

I've been away a few days with busyness and come back to a fav subject! Wahoo!

Gotta love that stuff... stash it away for gray days (of which NW winters have a lot of!)

[JenW]

Mmmmm, my mouth is watering. NEED Chocolate!!

[catinkeri]

A very interesting topic, but there seems to be some confusion as to how much 1.4 oz is when it comes to chocolate. Some ask if it's only one piece? Let me put it down in clear, concise working outness for all of you - especially since you're only meant to eat 'around' the 1.4 oz every 2 weeks (I'm sure that's a printing error, I think it's meant to be 1.4 oz every 2 minutes?!?!?!?)
1. Take proposed block of chocolate in hand
2. Turn over chocolate block until you are able to see Calorie Information at back of bar
3. Work out how big each serving is per your block of chocolte eg. Big block contains 12 servings ... big block has 36 pieces of chocolate in it ... therefore each serving is 3 blocks of chocolate
4. See what the weight of your chocolate bar is (should have it in really, really small writing on the front of the packet)
5. Take the amount of servings (12) by the amount of pieces of chocolate (36), multiply them by the weight of your chocolate bar (mine is 11.5 oz for example) - your total should be 12 + 36 = 48 x 11.5 = 552
6. This is the total of BLOCKS of chocolate - NOT pieces, BLOCKS - that you are allowed to consume in a two week period.

By the way - you may think that my math/calculations are incorrect, but I would like to add here that I have a masters in Chocolate (also known as MC) and also a Doctorate in Chocolate Consuming (PhDCC) so I really do know what I'm talking about.
Trust me ... eat 552 blocks of chocolate in 2 weeks, every 2 weeks and you'll know that I'm talking only the truth.
Ps. Let me know if you have any problems with this type of consumption as I am ALWAYS here to help. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.

[RosemaryS]

catinkeri, on 18 November 2009 - 10:00 AM, said:

A very interesting topic, but there seems to be some confusion as to how much 1.4 oz is when it comes to chocolate. Some ask if it's only one piece? Let me put it down in clear, concise working outness for all of you - especially since you're only meant to eat 'around' the 1.4 oz every 2 weeks (I'm sure that's a printing error, I think it's meant to be 1.4 oz every 2 minutes?!?!?!?)
1. Take proposed block of chocolate in hand
2. Turn over chocolate block until you are able to see Calorie Information at back of bar
3. Work out how big each serving is per your block of chocolte eg. Big block contains 12 servings ... big block has 36 pieces of chocolate in it ... therefore each serving is 3 blocks of chocolate
4. See what the weight of your chocolate bar is (should have it in really, really small writing on the front of the packet)
5. Take the amount of servings (12) by the amount of pieces of chocolate (36), multiply them by the weight of your chocolate bar (mine is 11.5 oz for example) - your total should be 12 + 36 = 48 x 11.5 = 552
6. This is the total of BLOCKS of chocolate - NOT pieces, BLOCKS - that you are allowed to consume in a two week period.

By the way - you may think that my math/calculations are incorrect, but I would like to add here that I have a masters in Chocolate (also known as MC) and also a Doctorate in Chocolate Consuming (PhDCC) so I really do know what I'm talking about.
Trust me ... eat 552 blocks of chocolate in 2 weeks, every 2 weeks and you'll know that I'm talking only the truth.
Ps. Let me know if you have any problems with this type of consumption as I am ALWAYS here to help. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.

[ScrappingForever]

This must be why I'm such a laid back, happy person!

[Kacie]

Love this thread!!! (and dark chocolate too of course) I actually just bought some dark chocolate mousse at the grocery. Jello makes it and it is in the refrigerated pudding section - looks fantastic. I'll be back with the verdict after dinner (if I can wait that long )

[Anne-Marie]

I thought I would add something of interest to this topic for those who are wanting to watch their weight.

My daughter who is very health conscious got me onto eating the raw Cacao Bean which is what chocolate is made from. I eat a small handful a day and it drastically cuts the desire for chocolate. They do not taste the best... slightly bitter but they are worth trying.

The raw bean is full of good things for us women which is why we crave chocolate more so at a certain time of the month.

When I first started eating the beans it really did help me lose some weight.