Health News, September 2017
CHOCOLATE
Scientifically proven to be healthy
A meta-analysis from Brown University has found a host of health effects from eating chocolate that stop the onset of scary words like “dyslipidemia”, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation which are apparently all major subclinical risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. If you can say that sentence off the top of your head next time someone tries slapping some chocolate out of your hand they’ll be left with no recourse.
The study looked at the effects of flavanol-rich cocoa, in this case dark chocolate. The greatest effects were seen among trial volunteers who ate between 200 and 600 milligrams of flavanols a day (based on their cocoa consumption). They saw significant declines in blood glucose and insulin. They also saw an increase in HDL, or “good,” cholesterol.
Cocoa is naturally packed full of flavanol, but loses a chunk of it during processing. However, chocolate will still have a significant amount in it afterwards. The most common method most of us get our flavanol intake is through tea, certain fruits (apples, pears), and berries. Where you get your flavanols is fine, it all has the same effect.
The study authors point out that their study is limited and shouldn’t be generalised.
“The treatment groups of the trials included in our meta-analysis are primarily dark chocolate – a few were using cocoa powder-based beverages,” epidemiology graduate student and lead author Xiaochen Lin said. “Therefore, the findings from the current study apparently shouldn’t be generalized to different sorts of chocolate candies or white chocolates, of which the content of sugar/food additives could be substantially higher than that of the dark chocolate.”
So why not indulge in a little chocolate every now and then. Just be sure to opt for high cocoa percentages to make sure it is in that ‘healthy’ range. Cadbury Coco range has both 70 percent and 85 percent cocoa content so this is a go-to treat.
COMVITA
Every Precious Drop
Back in 1974, our Comvita® founders, Claude and Alan believed in the power of nature. Four decades later, we stand by their beliefs, protecting every perfect drop all the way from its pure New Zealand source to you.
With an RRP of $58, Comvita® UMF® 5+ Manuka Honey 500g is just one of the precious drops. To discover the unique story behind every precious drop, visit comvita.co.nz. Available online and from leading pharmacies, grocery and natural health stores. comvita.co.nz
Clean Paleo
Getting Bready for Breakfast
For those who are Paleo or avoiding high amounts of gluten products like bread, the clever team at Clean Paleo have brought you the solution. Their grain free, Paleo certified bread has recently hit the shelves and is everything that you could expect. Made with alternative flours such as green banana flour, tapoica flour and also kumara powder, then toasted up with a good lashing of peanut butter, you are good to go. Available in two different flavours, we can definitely recommend these as a good bread alternative.
