delicious new research

[Lani]

don't know if Hershey's paid for this research, but...

Journal of Proteome Research
New evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress
The "chocolate cure" for emotional stress is getting new support from a clinical trial published online in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research. It found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.
Contact: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
202-872-6042

[BonnieR]

We always knew that! But it's sure nice to have some science to back up our anecdotal experiences. And to justify the "medicine" I ate last night!

[Mary Anne in TX]

Maybe I'll print it out and remind myself that a little dark chocolate is "good for the soul"! thanks, ma

[chrisy]

Lani,
delicious indeed! And proof that people CAN understand the research, they just need to be properly motivated:)

[tricia keegan]

Well, WE could have told them that!!!!

Trouble is, what do you do for the stress of all those extra calories and weight:)

[BonnieR]

Anybody want to join me in a little chocolate cake research?

[Rich66]

Isn't this kind of like yelling "Fire" in a theatre? ;)

[StephN]

Huh? I come from a long line of chocaholics.

For years I have been eating PLANTATIONS Vintage dark chocolate, grown in Ecuador. Either the 75% or 90%. As little sugar as possible, and no fillers. http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon12.gif

Plantations pioneered the Rainforest Alliance certification cocoa program. The company guarantee traceability from the farmer to you. Free of any chemicals or pesticides. No vanilla or aroma added.

They can be ordered on line.

http://www.vintageplantations.com/store/our-collections/chocolate-bars.html

More on the Rainforest Alliance:
www.rainforestalliance.org (http://www.rainforestalliance.org)

[SoCalGal]

I am participating in the potato chip study. I am on the arm that eats a small bag of chips while watching TV three nights a week. Some people have to eat chips every night, and a dear friend is eating placebo chips.

Early findings are not as crummy as you'd imagine.

Crackin' myself up as usual...

Flori

[MJo]

I will join in the research. I am going to buy some dark chocolate and measure it out. The problem will be limiting myself to 1 1/2 ounces a day.

[Rich66]

11/11/09 repress news
New phase one trial of oral chocolate covered potato chip (CCPC) protocol.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mtOUTPEcj20/RfiAOmjqVkI/AAAAAAAAAZU/YVVimZbD3Do/s400/chocolate+covered+chips.jpg

Patients will need to be Her-shey positive by dLISH assay and sodium tolerant. Maximum tolerated dose will be primary endpoint with secondary endpoint overall response according to GIRTH criteria. A similar study will investigate possible enhanced compliance by addition of a "stick".

[notamrnpsn]

Rich, is it ok to have a glass of wine with these yummy chips, Jeanette

[SoCalGal]

Actually, Chocolate covered potato chips sound really good to me!

Good one on the HER-shey positive:)

[Rich66]

There is thought that the "polyfunnels" in Read Wine (RW) may potentiate the effects of CCPC. But dose controls have been difficult. Further studies are warranted.

[tricia keegan]

Rich, what about white wine?? I wanna join Flori's clinical trial:)
Pretty please???

[Rich66]

There is no data. Decreased polyfunnel quotient in white wine (ww) suggests inferior efficacy. Hence the lower-case nomenclature.

[tricia keegan]

Aw shucks:(
I'll take that as a no then???? :)

I thought there was VIT C in this, why am I still drinking it~???

Maybe someday!!!

[v-ness]

flori - you cracked me up too. :) i love your sense of humor. actually, i was performing a Cheezits study last night and all i had to show for it this morning were a pair of puffy eyes and a powerful thirst. cancer probably likes Cheezits so i guess i will refrain ... mostly. valerie

[lkc Gumby]

ha! I'm in on the dk choc study for sure. Flori, LOVE your sense of humor. Love this " hilarious happy thread"

[Laurel]

Flori, Rich, you two should do stand up. Very clever and sophisticated humor going on here tonight. Now as an official Hersheyian (or whatever), Hersheyite???. Hmmm, never thought about this before...

Oh well, whatever a person who has grown up smelling chocolate vapors on the breeze is called, I am, as an official representative of Chocolate Town USA, declaring this thread the "sweetest thread on earth!" Deliciously clever, and great fun for all!

BTW, anyone who comes to Hershey must PM me so we can arrange to meet. The chocolate will be on me! Speaking of chocolate...do you think those yummy chocolate martinis relive stress too? I have found them most beneficial when I am feeling my nerves a bit frayed, but that's just my take on things.......

[WolverineFan]

LOVE it!!! I read an article yesterday at my son's audiologist's office that said dark chocolate has many of the same "nutrients" as dark vegetables!! I busted out laughing and shared the story with my kids! Last night at supper, we were all joking about making sure we ate enough vegetables and broke out some chocolate for dessert!!

[MJo]

I am impressed with everyone's devotion to research, particularly our dedication to efficiency, i.e. chocolate covered potato chips. However I must drop out of the study. I read the label and found that 1 1/2 oz of 70% dark chocolate a day will add 17 grams of fat to my diet. A successful trial would find me fat(ter), but happy and stressless. As I'm already fighting high cholesterol, I better pass.

[StephN]

Good point about the fats, Mjo.
Maybe we need to have our nutritionist weigh in on this trial?!

I just took a closer look at my dark chocolate Plantations bar's Nutritional Facts. Size of bar is 3.5 oz (100 grams). For the WHOLE bar calories from fat is 380.
Total fat is 40 grams or 21% of daily value.
Saturated fat is 27 grams or 55% of daily value.
NO trans fat.
NO cholesterol.
Total carbohydrates is 28 grams or 4% daily value.

The bar is so intensely flavorful that I never eat more than about 1/10 at at time/day. It is also very dense.
I don't know if my intake is enough to stay in the trial.

[Rich66]

Steph,
You can't just substitute elements of the protocol. Have respect for the scientific method. I think you will find the chip component appetite stimulating. Some participants have said they "can't stop eating them". But...if you can stop at 1/10 of a chocolate bar, I doubt you are Her-shey +. But only the dLISH assay can confirm.