Big surprise: chocolate is not a health food
April 17, 2008
Oh dear. Chocolate is heavily hyped as a health food these days, but a new study says it doesn’t do much when compared to a placebo and has no measurable benefits for neuropsychological or heart health. Too bad. I haven’t seen the full study yet but I’ll bet it wasn’t sponsored by Mars. No matter. I’ll take chocolate over a placebo any time.
Here’s one explanation for these results: the flavonols are destroyed in the process of making cocoa. So just because a chocolate is high in cocoa, doesn’t mean it retains active components.
[…] Catron wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptChocolate is heavily hyped as a health food these days, but a new study says it doesn’t do much when compared to a placebo and has no measurable benefits for neuropsychological or heart health. Too bad. I haven’t seen the full study yet … […]
Pingback by Big surprise: chocolate is not a health food | The Health Shack Blog — April 17, 2008 @ 8:51 am
I’m with you Marion… chocolate over a placebo anyday. But, that was even before all the ‘hype’ about health benefits — I will just stick with the immediate euphoria that chocolate can create — mental health is half of the physical health anyway.
Then again, maybe those chocolate covered almonds are actually chocolate covered placebos? ;).
Comment by Mark D. — April 17, 2008 @ 8:58 am
[…] Catron wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptChocolate is heavily hyped as a health food these days, but a new study says it doesn’t do much when compared to a placebo and has no measurable benefits for neuropsychological or heart health. Too bad. I haven’t seen the full study yet … […]
Pingback by Big surprise: chocolate is not a health food | Heavenly Health — April 17, 2008 @ 9:03 am
[…] Big surprise: chocolate is not a health food […]
Pingback by On Health Records by Health Tips — April 17, 2008 @ 11:07 am
I don’t see in the abstract what exactly was used as “dark chocolate”. Nestle, Hershey and others pass off chocolate with added milk and/or milk fat in even their “gourmet,” “dark” chocolate. Would the added dairy/saturated fat affect the results if this was the type used?
Comment by Daniel Ithaca,NY — April 17, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
Don’t care. I’m still going to have me a few of those wonderful, organic, fair trade, dark squares every day. I love the one with the animals on the label, particularly the ones with the nibs and the ones with the espresso beans.
For a real treat, shave some chocolate bit over some small farm dairy ice cream (NY Ronnybrook) w/homemade whipped cream. Amazing.
Comment by Shari L. — April 17, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
I want to know what the placebo was — it couldn’t have been very good as the study said that half the participants knew whether they had real chocolate or placbo.
Regardless, I want to be part of the next study — especially if I get the bar of dark chocolate!
Comment by Dorene — April 17, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
The point is that chocolate has always been the ultimate placebo and saying so just spoils the party. What buzz kills. I’m going to forget I read this.
Comment by missbossy — April 18, 2008 @ 4:02 am
Choose dark chocolate and just enjoy a little of this beautiful food!
(=}
Comment by Daniel Ithaca,NY — April 18, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Update:
It IS good for you. The Mars company has proven it.
Chocolate Lowers cholesterol:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421114616.htm
The study, funded in part by Mars Inc., the company that makes the bars, was published in this month’s Journal of Nutrition.
Comment by missbossy — April 21, 2008 @ 10:46 pm