A new study is being launched to see if pills containing the nutrients in dark chocolate can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The Evidence Supporting a Chocolate Diet: Correlation or Causation?
March 29, 2012 | by
A new study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine finds that chocolate consumption is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) [1]. In the news and across the web, reporters are touting this as evidence that eating chocolate lowers BMI.
Image credit: Assorted chocolates via ShutterstockProcessed Food Makers Cut Corners As Prices Rise
September 2, 2008 | by
Do you read labels at the supermarket? If you do, you may soon notice changes in the ingredients of some of the foods you buy. Food makers are quietly substituting cheaper ingredients in processed foods to offset the high price of commodities.
The Wall Street Journal took note of this trend last weekend, reporting that Food Makers Scrimp on Ingredients In An Effort to Fatten Their Profits [1]. However, that may be overstating their intentions. With high fuel prices driving up the cost of basic ingredients such as sugar and wheat, food companies are are forced to make a choice: raise prices or cut corners. Because competition in the industry is so strong, raising prices is the last thing food companies want to do. Instead, they look to the quality and quantity of the ingredients they use [2]. For example:
- Kraft Miracle Whip now contains more water
- Nestle snack products now contain less milk
- Sara Lee has switched to cheaper wheat for some breads
- Mars Inc. is reducing the size of its Funsize candy packs
- Hamburger Helper products have reduced the number of spice and ingredient pouches
- Some of Hershey’s chocolates are now being made with vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter
Health Highlights – July 10th, 2008
July 10, 2008 | by
Health Highlights is a biweekly summary of particularly interesting articles from credible sources of health and medical information that we follow & read. For a complete list of recommeded sources, see our links page.
- Five Best And Worst Sunscreens: Not Just For Summer Anymore | The Patient Report
The Patient Report.com provides a news brief on the Environment Working Group’s second annual sunscreen report. Does your sunscreen offer adequate protection against the sun’s rays?
- Going Buggy? Go Green! | Healthbolt
Liberty suggests some natural green alternatives to keep the mosquitos at bay.
- How does Chocolate protect the Heart? | Dr Shock MD PhD
Dr. Shock covers a recent review article discussing the possible underlying mechanisms of the cardioprotective properties of chocolate.
- When Benign Isn’t Better and Malignant is Preferred | Doctor David’s Blog
Everyone that has cancer wants their tumor to be benign, right? Not necessarily. Dr. David explains.
- Can the Wii Replace Regular Exercise? | NPA Think Tank
Can the Wii replace traditional exercise? Eric Robertson writes about a recent study evaluating energy expenditure while playing video games.
Health Highlights – September 10th, 2007
September 10, 2007 | by
Health Highlights is a biweekly summary of particularly interesting articles from credible sources of health and medical information that we follow & read. For a complete list of recommeded sources, see our links page.
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The Business of Bottled Water | Think Bigg
Because bottle water is considered a food, it’s regulated by the FDA. In contrast, tap water is regulated by the EPA. A Natural Resources Defense Council study found that bottled water sold in the U.S. isn’t necessarily cleaner or safer than most tap water. Tabetha at Think Bigg writes a thought-provoking article on the business of bottled water.
- DNA and Spit Law Enforcement Campaigns | Eye on DNA
What is it with people spitting at other people? Hsien at Eye on DNA tells us about the spit law enforcement campaign in England. Maybe that’ll make them think twice about spitting!
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I Could Swear I’ve Read This Post Before | Healthbolt
New clues regarding deja vu have Sara at Healthbolt saying “I could swear I’ve read this post before.”
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The Sherpa Silenced | Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You
Steve Murphy, a.k.a. the Gene Sherpa, is making an appeal for more Gene Sherpas:
I am now putting out a plea to all of those who wish to harness genetics for health and longevity, those who wish to have science behind their clinical decision making, those who have a keen business sense and the ethics to make you shudder when you see what is being sold, those who wish to learn more about the future of genetic and medicine.
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Chocolate Myths | Sciencebase
David at Sciencebase writes about chocolate and the alkaloids caffeine and theobromine, and also provides a great example of unfounded claims and the importance of scientific evidence and source referencing.
