Medicinal Chocolate?
Chocolate, specifically the beverage version, has long been known as an effective treatment to several illnesses. It is said to reduce anemia, stop the progress of diarrhea, ease an overworked brain, and somehow soothe an upset stomach. It is also used for children who are underweight and also stimulate the nervous systems of those who are physically weak without major health conditions.
In the Dominican Republic, to treat the common cold symptoms, chocolate drinks, that have coconut milk and onion in them, were taken.
Traditional healers in Oaxaca, Mexico are called “curanderos”. And story has it that they used chocolate in treating “espanto” or “susto”, illness which is said to be caused by getting startled or frightened. The traditional healer and patient go back to where it took place bringing cocoa beans along with them. They plant these beans into the ground and by doing so, the patient will be healed in return. Other healers in Oaxaca even used chocolate against sting of scorpion, wasp, and bees.
In the contemporary times, chocolate is still being used in the medicine. People from San Joaquin Valley of California use fresh beaten eggs added to hot chocolate as a cure against fatigue. Also, chocolate mixed with cinnamon and rue can supposedly treat stomach aches.
Furthermore, aside from the beans, certain parts of the cacao tree are being utilized by indigenous people of America. The cacao bark is often used to when people have bloody stools and they are useful in decreasing abdominal pains, while cacao flowers mixed with water can improve mental alertness and lessen nervousness. Cacao fat is used in disinfecting minor wounds and burns as well as a moisturizer for dry or chapped skin, so is cacao oil or butter. Cacao oil or butter can be applied on hemorrhoids to alleviate irritation, while cacao fruit pulp id used in pregnant women to facilitate easier delivery.
However, some people say that the said results are just placebo effects and the pleasure of eating or drinking chocolate is only the reason why these people are feeling better. Which is which? You decide.
More Chocolate Information Articles
Categories: chocolate articles Tags: Remedies, Science, treating, Uses
Love Chocolate, Love People?
Based on a new research, if you happen to have a sweet tooth, chances are, you’re friendlier than those who don’t. Volunteers who preferred chocolate to a non-sweet food product appeared to have a cheery personality.
Turns out, the main characteristic that these chocolate lovers possess is the passion for helping those in need. Nevertheless, it is still debatable whether it was because of chocolate’s mood-enhancing properties or merely the innate fondness of a person. Hold on, don’t go on pretending to be an extreme chocoholic just yet!
‘Our taste studies controlled for positive mood so the effects we found are not due to the happy or rewarding feeling one may have after eating a sweet food,’ says Brian Meiers, a psychology professor at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.
The five experiments that involved sweetness and agreeability were done by researchers at Gettysburg College, St. Xavier University in Chicago and North Dakota State University with a sample above 500. ‘It is striking that helpful and friendly people are considered ‘sweet’ because taste would seem to have little in common with personality or behavior,’ Meiers added.
In one of the five studies conducted, researchers found out that the society tends to stereotype people who love sweets as the more agreeable ones than people who don’t. ‘People rated those associated with sweet food higher in agreeableness,’ Meiers said.
That judgment was done by merely looking at photographs of people they have never even met, and these people were making neutral facial expressions. Below the photos are short descriptions of them, say, they are fond of eating chocolate or not.
‘There has been a push to find out how these traits are self-predicting of what we do with our daily life,’ Sarah Moeller, a psychology professor at St. Xavier University. ‘We are showing that with these personality traits that you show subtle aspect of self,’ she added. The research was published in the Journal of Personality Social Psychology.
Who wouldn’t want to be considered as sweet? Now being a chocoholic isn’t so bad after all!
Find More Learn About Chocolate Articles
Categories: chocolate articles Tags: Person, Psychology, Science, Studies, Study, Sweet Indulgences, sweets
Chocolate Cravings
Many people have an intense love of chocolate, but the female population seems to have a deeper love for it. The reason for this is allegedly connected to blood sugar levels, stress, and hormonal changes brought about by a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Chocolate contains sugar and caffeine and they are known to affect blood sugar levels. One reason behind our chocolate cravings is because the sugar in our blood is low and chocolates are our go-to for a quick sugar fix.
Chocolate always brings a different level of pleasure and this is because of the serotonin content which is a neurotransmitter that can influence the mood, which is the usual reason why chocolate is a well-known comfort food.
Days before menstrual periods, women’s serotonin levels are rather low. Also, hormonal changes that normally occur cause reduction in the minerals found in the blood, such as magnesium, which chocolate also contains. And that adds up to such powerful cravings.
However, some scientists claim that these cravings are merely brought about by cultural factors based on the findings that American women have stronger yearning for chocolate as compared to those of other nationalities, while some say that chocolate cravings are just psychological and that menstruating women feel that they are socially entitled to eat chocolate regardless of the fact that it can be very high in fat.
In addition to that, chocolate is debatably addicting. Research has shown that it contains alkaloid, compounds that make alcohol addictive. Scientists also found that chocolate contains anandamine, a compound that gets marijuana users addicted.
Phenylethylamine is another compound that chocolate contains and this can also be found in the body and its effects are rather similar to that of amphetamine. It can give people feelings such as euphoria and giddiness. These substances supposedly stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain and it peaks during orgasm which is probably the reason why some women prefer chocolate over sex. Interesting it is.
Related Learn About Chocolate Articles
Chocolate As Sunblock
Chocolate-scented products may be a commonplace, but pure chocolate as sunblock? Yes, it sounds a bit odd. But no, it’s not applied topically!
Recent studies showed that chocolate consumption does not only satisfy your sweet tooth but it’s said to protect the skin from the harsh rays of the sun.
Contrary to the popular belief that chocolate does nothing but cause acne, it can actually be very beneficial to your skin. It’s like something you totally love while just waiting for the benefits bite after bite! It doesn’t happen right away though.
All of this is because of the antioxidants that chocolate contains which are known as Polyphenals that give skin the kind of care it deserves as it can reduce ongoing cellular damage. Scientists claim that this certain compound does not only improve the skin but it can also give protection against the harmful UV rays. Polyphenals are said to enhance blood flow close to the skin, making all this benefits possible.
Are you crazy about chocolates? Well, let me encourage that problem. Here are some other interesting tidbits that make chocolate standout in the skin care industry. First, because of the cocoa butter, chocolates are known to soften the skin. Also, due to the significant amounts of antioxidants it contains, it is said to prevent wrinkles. It is also a well-known moisturizer and can keep the skin well-hydrated. Recent studies have also found out that chocolates can be used in combating the effects of skin aging.
But even without all these astonishing skin benefits, chocolate has a very special place in our hearts. It’s just downright amazing to learn that looking good can be this heavenly!
Categories: chocolate articles Tags: antioxidants, research, Science, SKIN
Chocolate Equals Exercise?
A recent study shows that moderate amounts of high quality dark chocolate can be as good as working out.
Cocoa was found to have a particular compound called epithacin and this supposedly improved muscle like exercise does.
Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, performed a test on three sets of 12-month-old mice, the counterpart of middle aged humans: one was given epithacin twice a day for 15 days, the second one was also given epithacin and spent 30 minutes on a treadmill, while the third exercised without receiving the extract.
Scientists have seen an increase in the number of energy-producing mitochondria, the ‘powerhouses’ of cells, in the mice that only took epithacin and they had considerably better muscle performance and took a longer time to get tired compared to those that only exercised. It was strange as these mitochondria are normally a byproduct of getting aerobic exercise such as running on the treadmill.
More mitochondria mean more energy, thus, allowing you to perform longer. The research team is hopeful that their experiments could eventually help in working against 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 enthralled to learn how natural products can copy and improve the effects of exercise.
Unfortunately though, they are too early in their studies for them to come up with any conclusions about humans getting the same benefits as those of the mice’s.
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 articles Tags: dark chocolate, research, Science, Studies
The Science of Chocolate Addiction (Mental Health Guru)
Are you one of the people who love to eat chocolate so much? Are you the type of person who can’t live without chocolate? Do you know why a lot of people are suffering from a chocolate addiction? In this video, you will get to know the explanation behind this chocolate addiction.
Our expert, Dr. Jeff Gardere, Ph.D will give you a brief rundown why people are so addicted to chocolate. Cravings and different discussion will be shown to you, in order for you to know some of the reasons why we can’t help ourselves from eating chocolate.
Also it will be discussed how it is being stimulated by our system, the way we look for or find chocolate and why we crave it badly at certain times.
Watch this video and explore the science of chocolate addiction and what it has to do with our health. Enjoy!
The Science of Chocolate
The Science of Chocolate
The second edition of this international best seller has been fully revised and updated describing the complete chocolate making process, from the growing of the beans to the sale in the shops. The Science of Chocolate takes the reader on the journey of chocolate, to discover how confectionery is made and the way in which basic science plays a vital role. The second edition contains new chapters, covering topics which include nutrition – why chocolate is good for you – how to stop it melting in hot countries and possible methods of putting bubble inside a chocolate bar. This book will appeal to those with a fascination for chocolate and will be of specialist interest to those studying food sciences and working in the confectionery industry. A series of experiments, which can be adapted to suit students, are included to demonstrate the physical, chemical and mathematical principles involved.
List Price: $ 53.00
Price:
Categories: chocolate products Tags: CHOCOLATE, Science
