There is often chocolate floating around the house at Christmas time.  I would recommend trying raw chocolate – I have a few squares on most days.  AT Christmas it helps me to relax from all the busy hustle and bustle that goes on around this time of year.   A scientific research study that took place in 2009 found that dark chocolate may be useful in reducing emotional stress (1). The study was small and preliminary but very interesting. The participants involved in the research were first tested using a specialized, validated, psychological questionnaires to see if they had low or high anxiety levels. They were then given 40g of dark chocolate daily for two weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected 3 times during the study – at the start, middle and end. The samples were rigorously tested to see whether various measures of body chemistry of the individuals were changed by the chocolate eating.   Interestingly the participants with higher anxiety traits showed a distinct change in their metabolic (bodily chemical processes) profiles when eating the dark chocolate. Dark chocolate was, amongst other things, found to reduce the urine levels of the stress hormone cortisol as well as other body chemicals related to stress. Dark chocolate was also found to partially normalise and correct stress-related differences in specific body chemistry levels. In conclusion the scientists suggest that the study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate daily during a period of 2….

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – it is a complex high-tech method of measuring the antioxidant ability of different foods. Antioxidants are substances that can quench, or remove, destructive ‘free radical’ molecules in the body.  Free radicals are damaging oxidative agents which have been linked to cell damage, cancer, heart disease, depression, inflammation, sun damage and other conditions. Certain vitamins such as vitamin C and E act as antioxidants in the body, flavonoids and polyphenols, which are bioactive plant compounds, are also potent antioxidants and are found in large amounts in vegetables, fruits, tea, wine and spices such as ginger, turmeric and chilli peppers.  Antioxidant flavonoids are also found in cocoa and chocolate.  One of the reasons we are urged to include at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day for health reasons is due to the antioxidants they provide the body. Different foods contain differing levels of antioxidant compounds and ORAC value helps to categorise those with the highest antioxidant capacity.  The so called ‘superfoods’ such as Acai berry, blueberries and pomegranates are generally referred to as ‘super’ due to their high antioxidant capacity.  Studies have now revealed that the ORAC value of raw cacao is much higher (per gram) than any of the other so called ‘super foods’ including Acai berries, strawberries, pomegranates, blueberries and cranberries.  Levels will vary depending on the variety of cacao bean or fruit and where it is grown – but a very recent analysis (1) found that the number….

Good quality dark chocolate (85% cocoa solids) is one of my favourite indulgences.  Two-three squares is enough to satisfy me.  I enjoy the complexity of flavours, the way it melts on my tongue and how it feels ‘special’.  Drinking black cocoa (just cocoa powder and boiling water) is also something I enjoy, many people find this bitter but to me the taste is intense and I don’t get the caffeine buzz and anxiety that coffee gives me.     Many studies have looked into the health benefits of dark chocolate, these benefits seem to be due to the flavonoids (bioactive plant compounds) that cocoa contains, many of which act as antioxidants in the body.   A study in 2009 found that dark chocolate may be useful in reducing emotional stress (1).  The study  was small and very preliminary but certainly interesting. The study participants were first tested using validated psychological questionnaires to see if they had low or high anxiety traits. They were given 40g of dark chocolate daily for two weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected 3 times during the study – at the start, middle and end. The samples were rigorously tested to see whether various measures of body chemistry of the individuals was changed by the chocolate eating and also to see whether specific processes of gut bacteria was altered.     Interestingly the participants with higher anxiety traits showed a distinct change in their metabolic (bodily chemical processes) profiles when eating the dark chocolate. Dark chocolate….