Chocolate News and Research

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Blocking Sigma-1 receptor can reduce binge eating

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have demonstrated in experimental models that blocking the Sigma-1 receptor, a cellular protein, reduced binge eating and caused binge eaters to eat more slowly.

21 Jun 2012

FDA clears expanded matrix of sizes for TMI's Chocolate PTA balloon catheter

TriReme Medical, Inc. announced today that it has received FDA clearance for an expanded matrix of sizes for its Chocolate PTA balloon catheter. Chocolate is now approved for the percutaneous transluminal treatment of lesions in the peripheral vasculature in balloon diameters from 2.0 - 4.0mm and in balloon lengths up to 120mm.

19 Jun 2012

Dark chocolate cuts CV risk in metabolic syndrome

Eating dark chocolate on a daily basis appears to decrease risk for cardiovascular events in patients with the metabolic syndrome, say researchers.

14 Jun 2012

Heart problems in high risk people could be prevented by dark chocolate

Daily consumption of dark chocolate can reduce cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in people with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of factors that increases the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes), finds a study published on bmj.com today.

1 Jun 2012

Raisins prevent excessive calorie intake and increase satiety in children

New research recently announced at the Canadian Nutrition Society annual meeting in Vancouver, B.C., suggests eating raisins as an after-school snack prevents excessive calorie intake and increases satiety – or feeling of fullness – as compared to other commonly consumed snacks.

1 Jun 2012

Simple changes in health behavior spur big and lasting results

Simply ejecting your rear from the couch means your hand will spend less time digging into a bag of chocolate chip cookies. That is the simple but profound finding of a new Northwestern Medicine study, which reports simply changing one bad habit has a domino effect on others. Knock down your sedentary leisure time and you'll reduce junk food and saturated fats because you're no longer glued to the TV and noshing. It's a two-for-one benefit because the behaviors are closely related.

29 May 2012

FDA approves TMI’s Glider PTCA Catheter

TriReme Medical, Inc. (TMI) today announced approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Glider PTCA Catheter, indicated for treating the stenotic portion of coronary arteries or bypass grafts to improve myocardial perfusion.

23 May 2012

The truth about chocolate: does it really contain flavonoids?

There have been many news stories over the years about chocolate and whether it is good or bad for you. The stories often comment on a chemical constituent of chocolate: flavonoids. But what are flavonoids? Does chocolate even contain them? And why should we care if it does?

18 May 2012

Exendin-4 drug effectively suppresses craving for food

A drug made from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard is effective in reducing the craving for food. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have tested the drug on rats, who after treatment ceased their cravings for both food and chocolate.

16 May 2012

Phase II trial to examine effects of resveratrol on individuals with mild to moderate dementia

A national, phase II clinical trial examining the effects of resveratrol on individuals with mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease has begun as more than two dozen academic institutions recruit volunteers in the coming months. R. Scott Turner, M.D., Ph.D., director of Georgetown University Medical Center's Memory Disorders Program, is the lead investigator for the national study.

14 May 2012

Caffeine consumption: How much is too much?

Chocolate, coffee and cola are perhaps three of your favourite consumables; however, they are also three caffeine-rich substances which all contribute to your daily caffeine consumption. According to the BBC, people should not exceed 400mg caffeine a day, and this limit halves for pregnant women, for which only 200mg/day is recommended.

10 May 2012

Flavan-3-ols, SoyLife can improve biomarkers of CVD risk in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic patients

A new, one-year, double-blind controlled clinical study shows that cacao-flavonoids and soy isoflavones can significantly improve biomarkers of CVD risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

5 May 2012

Tobacco packaging targets young people and women

Young people and women are identified as target groups to aim tobacco packaging at according to a new Cancer Research UK report released on Thursday.

26 Apr 2012

Dark chocolate good for the heart: Study

A new study finds that dark chocolate may lower the risk of heart disease by lowering levels of blood glucose and bad cholesterol while boosting levels of good cholesterol.

25 Apr 2012

Researchers develop new method to analyze flavanols in cocoa

A method for the analysis of flavanols in cocoa has been developed by a team of researchers from Mars Botanical, a scientific division of Mars, Incorporated, and recently published in the Journal of AOAC International.

25 Apr 2012

Dark chocolate may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

Chocolate, considered by some to be the "food of the gods," has been part of the human diet for at least 4,000 years; its origin thought to be in the region surrounding the Amazon basin. Introduced to the Western world by Christopher Columbus after his fourth voyage to the New World in 1502, chocolate is now enjoyed worldwide. Researchers estimate that the typical American consumes over 10 pounds of chocolate annually, with those living on the west coast eating the most. Wouldn't it be great if only chocolate were considered healthy?

25 Apr 2012

Cancer therapy with common cold virus

Common viruses have become the latest weapon against cancer. There is the case of the eight-year-old African boy diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma at a Ugandan health clinic. He was exposed to the measles virus and in the next few weeks his tumour regressed completely and he entered remission. But only relatively recently have scientists clinically examined the interaction between viruses and cancers in the growing area of oncolytic virotherapy.

24 Apr 2012

Cruciferous vegetables protect and improve breast cellular health

Broccoli, cabbage, leafy greens, cauliflower-your mother insisted they were good for you while you defiantly pushed them around your plate. Perhaps you didn't believe they were all that good for you. If they're so great, why don't they taste better? Turns out your mother was right. These cruciferous vegetables have a profound influence on the health of your body's cells. In fact, a recent study by Vanderbilt University's Ingram Center showed that a diet full of cruciferous vegetables protects and improves breast cellular health.

19 Apr 2012

Loyola dietitian offers health tips for Easter

Life-size chocolate bunnies, baskets overflowing with jelly beans and buffets filled with lavish delicacies. Easter gives us hope that consistent warm weather days are just around the corner. But it can also be a time of temptation, with large white bunnies leaving baskets full of candy around the house.

6 Apr 2012

WHO drafts treaty to fight illicit tobacco trade; WTO demands Obama administration drop ban on flavored cigarettes

"Nations have crafted a draft treaty to fight a booming trade in illicit tobacco products that's costing governments as much as $50 billion a year in lost tax revenue, officials said Wednesday," the Associated Press/Washington Post reports.

6 Apr 2012