A recent article published in Nutrition & Cancer focused on cancer protective properties of cocoa. The author, Gertraud Maskarinec, reviewed studies on cocoa and found that epidemiologic evidence is limited. However, interventional studies provide support for the cancer protective properties of cocoa. Namely, cocoa is linked with favorable changes in biomarkers assessing antioxidant status. Maskarinec concluded that “in moderation, cocoa products may offer strong antioxidant effects in combination with a pleasurable eating experience.” So, drink up (in moderation)!
Source: Maskrinec, G. (2009). Cancer protective properties of cocoa: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. Nutrition & Cancer, 61(5), 573-579.
There has been a flury of news in the last couple of days regarding a new study that came out in October, 2009 regarding the benefits of eating dark chocolate for managing stress. The reports describe a study that concluded that the ingestion of dark chocolate helps to decrease stress. I like to see the original journal articles, so I searched for it and was amazed by the first thing that I read. The study was sponsored by Nestle! I really wanted to have an excuse to eat chocolate, but I have to wonder as to the intentions of a study sponsored by a chocolate manufacturer. I was disheartened until I thought of a way to have an excuse to each chocolate, regardless.
The alternative is to forget about how the chemicals in chocolate can reduce or not the stress in our lives and to embrace the pleasure of eating chocolate. It makes sense that engaging in pleasurable activities, be it chocolate eating or something else, will reduce stress. The more pleasure I have in my life, the less stressful it will be. Maybe someone should research that correlation. Having stated that, I am on my way to find me some chocolate!
Some people eat more when they are stressed, while others eat less. However, according to a study conducted at the University of California-San Francisco, those under chronic stress report more often eating fatty foods to relieve stress. Reports such as these make a lot of sense if we understand the connection between body and mind. However, the effects of stress are also influenced by other things such as worldview, culture, and historical time. A group of people may face the same stressors, but will be influenced, mind and body, differently depending on what they believe about the stressor. If they believe the stressor to be unimportant, then the stressor will not affect them. If they believe that the stressor is somehow important given a greater goal in life, then the stressor will not affect them in the same way as someone who gives the stressor importance to how their life will unfold. What I am saying is that stress is part of life and only becomes hurtful when our minds, given our goals, priorities, approaches make it be extraordinary. I’ll always remember the day I spoke with a woman whose child died as a result of the fighting between her husband and herself. I asked her if she was devastated, and she replied that she was not because the death had to occur for the violence to stop. Now, for you and me, this may be convoluted thinking, but for her it relieved her of the stress and emotional distress that occurs from the death of a child.
A study has validated the use of aromatherapy in the management of stress. This study tested the effects of lemon essential oil on both physical and psychological stress. They found that the particular components of lemon essential oil do indeed aid in the management of stress.
Source: Fukumoto, et al. (2007). Effect of flavor components in lemon essential oil on physical or psychological stress. Stress and Health, 24(1), 3-12.
