Why dark chocolate is good for your heart

Source:

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

Summary:

It might seem too good to be true, but dark chocolate is good for you and scientists now know why. Dark chocolate helps restore flexibility to arteries while also preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels. Both arterial stiffness and white blood cell adhesion are known factors that play a significant role in atherosclerosis. What's more, the scientists also found that increasing the flavanol content of dark chocolate did not change this effect.

It might seem too good to be true, but dark chocolate is good for you and scientists now know why. Dark chocolate helps restore flexibility to arteries while also preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels. Both arterial stiffness and white blood cell adhesion are known factors that play a significant role in atherosclerosis. What's more, the scientists also found that increasing the flavanol content of dark chocolate did not change this effect. This discovery was published in the March 2014 issue of The FASEB Journal.

"We provide a more complete picture of the impact of chocolate consumption in vascular health and show that increasing flavanol content has no added beneficial effect on vascular health," said Diederik Esser, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Top Institute Food and Nutrition and Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition in Wageningen, The Netherlands. "However, this increased flavanol content clearly affected taste and thereby the motivation to eat these chocolates. So the dark side of chocolate is a healthy one."

To make this discovery, Esser and colleagues analyzed 44 middle-aged overweight men over two periods of four weeks as they consumed 70 grams of chocolate per day. Study participants received either specially produced dark chocolate with high flavanol content or chocolate that was regularly produced. Both chocolates had a similar cocoa mass content. Before and after both intervention periods, researchers performed a variety of measurements that are important indicators of vascular health. During the study, participants were advised to refrain from certain energy dense food products to prevent weight gain. Scientists also evaluated the sensory properties of the high flavanol chocolate and the regular chocolate and collected the motivation scores of the participants to eat these chocolates during the intervention.

"The effect that dark chocolate has on our bodies is encouraging not only because it allows us to indulge with less guilt, but also because it could lead the way to therapies that do the same thing as dark chocolate but with better and more consistent results," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "Until the 'dark chocolate drug' is developed, however, we'll just have to make do with what nature has given us!"

Food packaging chemicals may be harmful to human health over long term

The synthetic chemicals used in the packaging, storage, and processing of foodstuffs might be harmful to human health over the long term, warn environmental scientists in a commentary in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

This is because most of these substances are not inert and can leach into the foods we eat, they say.

Despite the fact that some of these chemicals are regulated, people who eat packaged or processed foods are likely to be chronically exposed to low levels of these substances throughout their lives, say the authors.

And far too little is known about their long term impact, including at crucial stages of human development, such as in the womb, which is "surely not justified on scientific grounds," the authors claim.

They point out that lifelong exposure to food contact materials or FCMs -- substances used in packaging, storage, processing, or preparation equipment -- "is a cause for concern for several reasons."

These include the fact that known toxicants, such as formaldehyde, a cancer causing substance, are legally used in these materials. Formaldehyde is widely present, albeit at low levels, in plastic bottles used for fizzy drinks and melamine tableware.

Secondly, other chemicals known to disrupt hormone production also crop up in FCMs, including bisphenol A, tributyltin, triclosan, and phthalates.

"Whereas the science for some of these substances is being debated and policy makers struggle to satisfy the needs of stakeholders, consumers remain exposed to these chemicals daily, mostly unknowingly," the authors point out.

And, thirdly, the total number of known chemical substances used intentionally in FCMs exceeds 4000.

Furthermore, potential cellular changes caused by FCMs, and in particular, those with the capacity to disrupt hormones, are not even being considered in routine toxicology analysis, which prompts the authors to suggest that this "casts serious doubts on the adequacy of chemical regulatory procedures."

They admit that establishing potential cause and effect as a result of lifelong and largely invisible exposure to FCMs will be no easy task, largely because there are no unexposed populations to compare with, and there are likely to be wide differences in exposure levels among individuals and across certain population groups.

But some sort of population-based assessment and biomonitoring are urgently needed to tease out any potential links between food contact chemicals and chronic conditions like cancer, obesity, diabetes, neurological and inflammatory disorders, particularly given the known role of environmental pollutants, they argue.

"Since most foods are packaged, and the entire population is likely to be exposed, it is of utmost importance that gaps in knowledge are reliably and rapidly filled," they urge.

What Your Valentine’s Day plans say about your relationship.

By: Charisma Madarang 

Since we fancy ourselves to be highly unprofessional advice givers when it comes to love, we here at Foodbeast present to you the ultimate guide to Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re taking the boo out to a swanky candlelight dinner or snuggling in your PJs while knee-deep in Chinese take-out, what you choose to do on that special night speaks volumes about the dynamics of your relationship.
So, in honor of bad chocolate and fat babies shooting arrows in the sky, here’s a comprehensive look into what your Valentine’s Day plans say about your relationship status.

romantic-valentines-day-dinner

The 5-star restaurant with $$$$ on Yelp
You looked up this place at least 2 weeks ahead of time and made sure it had a Yelp rating of at least 4 stars. You also double checked the reviews to make sure it wasn’t one of those fancy places where they charged $50 for a plate of soggy fettuccine but justified it by the fabulous ocean view. You’re definitely getting laid tonight. That, or you’re both 60 years old and hate each other.

“The Happiest Place on Earth”

Why are you on the teacup ride right now with a bunch of screaming 5 year olds? Oh, yeah, because your S/O is convinced that the churros here are super authentic and the 2-hour wait for “It’s a Small World” is a great time for both of you to beat each other’s single-digit Flappy Bird highscore. On the brightside, you successfully snuck in a handle of vodka — hello, Space Mountain!

Netflix and Chinese Food Night

You’ve been together for at least 3 years and you both know what’s up. You’d rather throw on Ocean’s Eleven and order take-out from your favorite Chinese spot. You’re also the couple that farts around each other and hold contests on who can let one go the loudest. Ew.
TV2

The Buffer Group Date

You literally met each other last night but didn’t want to be forever alone, so you invited your friends as a buffer in case your date turned out to be psycho who owns 20 cats. Now you’re awkwardly standing next to each other at a loud dive bar and debating if you should hold hands or not.

The “Surprise” Picnic

You’re either a modern day Casanova who makes bomb tuna sandwiches or you just wanted an excuse to play “Such Great Heights” on the guitar while you both boozed up on two buck chuck.
Vday-Animals

The Overpriced Gastropub

You wanted to do something “different” for Valentine’s Day. At first you considered sky diving but after you came to your senses, you figured an edgy gastropub would be the next best thing. Now, you’re both nibbling on overpriced truffle fries and feeling super “hip.”

The Mini Golf Date That Precedes First Base

You’re in high school and you have a curfew at 10 pm. That, or you both just really love greasy arcade pizza and you definitely can’t be mad at that.

The Romantic Dinner at Home

You’re a romantic and after watching a few episodes of Iron Chef thought, “Shoot, I could do that.” Now you’re covered in spaghetti sauce and trying to throw in jalapenos for “taste.” It might not be edible, but gosh, aren’t you two the cutest?
Vday-Cooking

The “I Thought You Didn’t Want to Do Anything” Date

You’re the chump who listened to your S/O when they said they “Didn’t feel like doing anything for Valentine’s Day.” You fell for the trap and now you’re alone eating SpaghettiOs and drinking sad beer tears.

The Anti-Valentine’s Day/Singles Awareness Party

You’re single and wanted to show all your friends in relationships what a poor life decision they made. So, you’re throwing a Pinterest-worthy party and only inviting your single friends. There will be strong martinis and you’ll be Instagramming the whole time to make everyone else jealous.

The McDonald’s Date

fast-food-valentines-dinner
You did this for Valentine’s Day. Strangely enough, you are now single.

The Worlds Most Expensive Valentine Meal

For those looking to impress this Valentine’s Day, here’s a dinner that will run you a cool £61,000 (US $99, 594.70). In collaboration with GreatBritishChefs.com, British luxury site VeryFirstTo offers what the Daily Meal claims to be the most expensive Valentine’s Day menu on Earth.

Michelin-starred chef Adam Simmonds (formerly of Danesfield House) created the eight-course menu for “no expense-spared” romantics. The meticulously extravagant menu includes “aphrodisiac-infused” components like Alums white caviar with a price tag of nearly $5000, gold leaf worth more than $3000 and Native South Sea oyster pearls at almost $10,000.

Looking to emphasize the menu’s theme of exclusivity and rarity, Pacific bluefin tuna also make the list — a species many wildlife activists say are as close to extinction as the white rhino. Of course, throughout the dinner, only the most rare and beautiful wines will be poured including a $ 27, 755.90 bottle of 1990 La Romanee-Conti, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.

Well, pish posh.

Peek the full menu below.

By: Charisma Madarang  

How to Make Jägermeister Pulled Pork Sliders Read

Pulled-Pork-Sliders-recipe

This weekend, serve up something delectable for the Super Bowl. If you’re doing it right, you already have Doritos-crusted chicken wings on deck. Of course, you’ll want to pair it up with some equally indulgent dishes, so we found the perfect boozy pork slider recipe to chow down on.

The Jägermeister adds a distinct sweetness to the bbq sauce, complimenting the slight lime flavor of the Jicama Avocado Slaw. Now, add a few brews to this mix and you’ve got the ultimate game day feast.

Jägermeister BBQ’d Pulled Pork Sliders

What You Need

5 lbs. pork butt

12 slider buns (brioche or potato)

4–6 cups chicken stock

Pork Butt Rub

1 cup Jägermeister + 2 cups olive oil

2 tbsp. smoked paprika

2 tbsp. cumin

2 tbsp. celery salt

1 tbsp. chili flake

4 tbsp. light brown sugar

3 tbsp. salt

2 tbsp. paprika

BBQ Sauce

32 oz. ketchup

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1 cup Jägermeister

1/2 cup molasses

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup coffee

1 tsp. coffee grinds

1/2 cup red onions, sliced

1 chipotle pepper

1 tsp. adobo sauce (can of chipotles, use sauce they are packed in)

Jicama Avocado Slaw

1/2 cup jicama, julienned

1/2 cup carrots, julienned

1/2 cup red pepper, julienned

1/2 cup yellow pepper, julienned

1 tbsp. scallions, chopped

2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped

2 cups  avocado, mashed

1/4 cup lime juice

Pulled-Pork-Sliders

How to Make It

1. In a large mixing bowl combine all of the dry rub ingredients and mix well. Score the pork butt. In a separate bowl, pour the olive oil/Jägermeister mix over the butt and rub it to coat. Add the entire dry rub and rub aggressively.Refrigerate covered overnight.

2. For the bbq sauce: Sauté the onions in olive oil until translucent. Add the honey and the brown sugar. Allow the honey, brown sugar and onions to come to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the Jägermeister, ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and cider vinegar. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and allow to cook for 2 hours. Add coffee and coffee grinds. Simmer for 4 hours, stirring continuously. Add the chipotle and the adobo sauce. In a blender, blend the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Strain through a china cap and allow to cool.

3. For the jicama slaw: Use the lime juice to first preserve the color of the avocado. Then, combine of all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and heat grill to high. Char the pork on the grill on both sides. Then, slather the pork in 2 cups of the bbq sauce and place in a deep half-hotel pan. Fill the hotel pan with chicken stock until the butt is mostly covered. Bring the liquid to a simmer on the stove-top over medium/high heat. Cover with parchment paper and tinfoil and finish cooking in the oven for 2.5–3 hours or until the pork meat can be loosened with a gentle tug of a fork.

5. Allow thepork to cool in the braising liquid. Pull the pork and place into a separate bowl. Mix with the remaining bbq sauce until the pork is moist and saturated.

6. Portion approximately 4 ounces of pulled pork for each slider bun and top with the jicama slaw.