The book explores the origins of chocolate and its place in culture and traditions all over the world, and its health benefits.

Research shows that eating chocolate and natural cocoa may improve vascular health, blood pressure, cognitive health, blood flow, and skin health. According to studies by the USDA, just two tablespoons of natural cocoa have more antioxidant power than 4 cups of green tea, one cup of blueberries or one and a half glasses of red wine.

Flavanols—the compounds in chocolate found in the cocoa bean—increase blood flow, providing a protective effect against inflammation and subsequent cardiovascular disease, helping to reduce blood pressure, and even making skin look more hydrated. There are also cognitive benefits to increased circulation.

Most of these health benefits have been blogged here at Eating Fabulous, with links to pertinent scientific studies supporting these claims. What has always been disputed, though, is the form and quantity of chocolate one must consume to reap its health benefits. Dark chocolate only? Alkali processed? How much per day? According to the authors of this book:

Eating chocolate products with just 60% cocoa is sufficient for enjoying a smooth, not too bitter taste while still getting health benefits. Buying such chocolate in portion-controlled formats, such as tasting squares, allows one to enjoy the health benefits without overindulging in calories.

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Chocolate- A Healthy Passion

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Slash Your Risk of Heart Disease this Heart Health Month

Ingredients

• 8 oz. 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate, divided
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup pure honey*
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 pint raspberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

1. Cut 2 ounces of chocolate into 18 pieces; set aside. Place 6 ounces of coarsely chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on high; stir well. Microwave 30 seconds more on high and stir until all lumps are gone. If more melting is necessary, microwave in 10 second increments and stir until all lumps are gone. Chocolate should not become too warm.

2. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl, cream butter until fluffy. Add honey and melted chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time.

4. Add half of the reserved dry ingredients to the butter mixture; mix on low until just combined. With mixer running on low, slowly add the buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients until just combined.

5. Place a Tablespoon of batter in the bottom of each paper-lined muffin tin. Add one piece of chocolate and 2 to 3 raspberries to each cup. Fill muffin tins two-thirds full with remaining batter. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack; cool. Frost with Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting, if desired.

Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup pure honey*
• 8 oz. 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 Tablespoons seedless raspberry jam, optional

Directions

1. Combine honey and chocolate in a medium bowl, set aside. In small, heavy pan, heat whipping cream over medium heat until bubbles just begin to form. Pour over honey-chocolate mixture and allow to stand for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth; cool. Refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours.
2. With an electric mixer, beat chocolate mixture until frosting is fluffy.

Image and recipe reproduced with permission from the National Honey Board.

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Bittersweet Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cupcakes

If you’ve got your guacamole dips recipes all sussed out and you think you’ll have excess avocados, how about whipping up an Avocado Caesar Salad? Or some Avocado Pasta for something more filling than just chips? Or — and this sounds yummy– an Raspberry Avocado Smoothie as a refreshing drink for the morning after (but not for those with hangovers I guess).

Contrary to popular myth, avocados have been documented to actually help ward off cardiovascular disease, as well as Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer because of its high antioxidant content. It also contains lutein that help maintain clear vision by protecting against eye disease such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

See, there’s more to avocado than just a Superbowl ingredient. Go on and explore more avocado recipes!

Image: FrenchByte

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Superbowl Sunday, Avocado Sunday

• Omega 3-6-9 Fact Sheet: What are the differences among omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fats, and how do they add up for better health?

• Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to questions about Omega-9 Oils, what restaurants are using them, their health benefits, and more!

• Oils Comparison Chart: Not all fats are created equal! Click on the chart to compare the profiles of commonly used oils.

• How do Omega-9 Oils benefit your health?

More information from Healthier Oils.

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Omega 9 Oils: Healthier Oils

These results indicate that a person may have any combination of these genes which can result to dyslipidemia, i.e., a combo of high LDL and triglyceride levels and extremely low HDL-cholesterol which is linked to cardiovascular disease risks. A personalized dietary plan drafted according to the gene variants an individual has become one step closer to reality.

“With this new knowledge, we are closer to identifying precise dietary recommendations for people at risk for cardiovascular disease. For instance, carriers of a certain variant gene could
reduce their risk of disease with a low-cholesterol diet, carriers of another variant gene
may benefit from the Mediterranean diet, while a high-fiber diet may be the healthiest
option for carriers of yet another variant gene.”

Source: Tufts University Photo Credit: svilen001

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New Gene Variants Associated with Heart Disease Risk Identified

“The benefits of our study are in the use of an effective concentration of antioxidants in their natural formulation, tomato extract with all the nutrients of the tomato included, extracted in natural tomato oil.”

“The core findings from this study are:

(1) a significant decline both in systolic and diastolic blood pressures with tomato extract therapy

(2) a significant increase in serum lycopene level after tomato extract therapy

(3) a significant increase in serum nitrate level after tomato extract therapy.”

Whether tomato extract alone is able to lower high blood pressure is currently unknown; the present data, however, are encouraging as they possibly offer means to reduce the daily intake of standard drugs for controlling hypertension in humans.

The full text article was published in Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy on December 4, 2008.

Photo Credit: freestuf

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Tomato extract “Lyc-O-Mato” May Help to Control Hypertension in Humans

The researchers studied the effect of regular table grapes (a blend of green, red, and black grapes) that were mixed into the rat diet in a powdered form, as part of either a high- or low-salt diet. They performed many comparisons between the rats consuming the test diet and the control rats receiving no grape powder — including some that received a mild dose of a common blood-pressure drug. All the rats were from a research breed that develops high blood pressure when fed a salty diet.

In all, after 18 weeks, the rats that received the grape-enriched diet powder had lower blood pressure, better heart function, reduced inflammation throughout their bodies, and fewer signs of heart muscle damage than the rats that ate the same salty diet but didn’t receive grapes. The rats that received the blood-pressure medicine, hydrazine, along with a salty diet also had lower blood pressure, but their hearts were not protected from damage as they were in the grape-fed group.

See more details of the study results here. Not entirely surprising, given that the heart-healthy antioxidants in red wine are phytochemicals found in grape skin and seed. Even grape juice has been demonstrated to confer heart health benefits.

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Grapes May Improve Heart Health

“Although risk estimates were modest (7% lower risk per 1-serving increase in whole grain intake; 8% greater risk per 1-serving increase in high-fat dairy intake; 23% greater risk per 1-serving increase in egg intake), the totality of literature in this area suggests it would be prudent to recommend that those at high risk of HF increase their intake of whole grains and reduce intake of high-fat dairy and eggs, along with following other healthful dietary practices consistent with those recommended by the American Heart Association.”

Arrgh, this reminds me, I still need to write a review of some fiber-rich whole grain products! Bear with me! Time is a little bit scarce these days!

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Whole Grains Reduce Heart Failure Risk

Yo-Plus and is the only yogurt available that contains Optibalance™, a blend of special probiotic cultures and a natural fiber. Yo-Plus is a good source of calcium, fiber, Vitamin A and Vitamin D. When compared with Dannon™’s Activia™, only Yo-Plus has the added benefit of dietary fiber for added digestive health benefits, plus vitamins A and D.

Have you tried Yo-Plus yet? No? You can print some coupons for some discount.

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Discount Coupons for Yo-Plus Probiotic Yogurt with Fiber