A List of Healthy Substances Found in Raw Chocolate (Theobroma Cacao)

Many of the natural chemical compounds in raw cocoa or cacao beans and in organic dark chocolate have been discussed in scientific literature as being pharmacologically significant to health. Here is a partial list of these active substances in natural organic chocolate (and more are discussed below).

• Anandamide (a neurotransmitter known as “the bliss chemical”)
• Arginine (nature’s aphrodisiac)
• Dopamine (a neurotransmitter)
• Epicatechins (antioxidants)
• Magnesium (for healthy heart function)
• Serotonin (anti-stress neurotransmitter)
• Tryptophan (anti-depressant amino acid)
• Phenylethylamine (PEA) (controls the ability to focus attention and stay alert)
• Polyphenols (antioxidants)
• Histamine
• Tyramine
• Salsolinol

Magnesium – the Mineral Your Heart Needs

Is dark chocolate good for your heart? Research by Dr. Bernard Jensen indicates that the heart muscle requires these two minerals more than any other minerals: Magnesium and Potassium. In the heart muscle Magnesium is concentrated eighteen times greater than in the bloodstream. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and the heartbeat.

The overall strength and vigor of the heart muscle and its ability to pump effectively is enhanced by the presence of Magnesium, and this important mineral also decreases blood coagulation and thus can lower blood pressure.

Magnesium also balances brain chemistry, and helps build strong bones.

When heart problems occur, Magnesium is the most likely mineral to be missing in the person’s diet.

Eighty percent of Americans are deficient in Magnesium. This deficiency is linked to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and PMT.

Cocoa beans and organic dark chocolate are the #1 best food sources of this heart-supporting mineral, Magnesium. Can you see how a guilt-free daily dose of Magnesium-rich healthy chocolate could actually help lower your risk of heart disease?

Anti-Depressant Properties of Cocoa and Healthy Dark Chocolate

Cocoa is a potent source of serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine. These are three well-studied neurotransmitters which help alleviate depression and are associated with feelings of well-being.

Cocoa contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO Inhibitors) which help improve our mood because they allow serotonin and dopamine to remain in the bloodstream longer without being broken down.

Cocoa also contains anandamide which stimulates blissful feelings. Cocoa also contains B vitamins, which are associated with brain health.

Vascular Health Promoting Properties of Cocoa and Healthy Dark Chocolate

Nitric Oxide (NO)

One research study discovered that a substance in cocoa helps the body process nitric oxide (a chemical compound designated as NO, where N = 1 Nitrogen atom, and O = 1 Oxygen atom). Nitric oxide or NO is a critical component in healthy blood flow and blood pressure control.

Vascular diseases, including Erectile Dysfunction (ED) which is common in men over age 40, are connected to the inability of an artery to make the simple but fundamental chemical called nitric oxide (NO). It appears that flavanols help reverse that problem. Thus eating healthy chocolate might help men over 40 to enjoy a more active sex life without having to rely on expensive drugs like Viagra™ or Celebrex™ or those many herbal concoctions which are touted in millions of unwanted emails.

Another research study showed that a type of bioflavonoid called flavanols in cocoa prevent fatty substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and then clogging the arteries. Flavanols also make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause blood clots.

Researchers are excited by the potential of flavanols to ward off vascular disease, which can cause hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and even dementia.

Antioxidant Properties of Cocoa and Healthy Dark Chocolate

Scientists have known for years that cocoa/cacao contains significant antioxidants, but no one knew just how rich they were in comparison to those found in two other healthy foods – red wine and green tea.

According to research cited in The New York Times, fresh cocoa beans are super-rich in the type of flavonoid called flavanols (not flavOnols) which are very strong antioxidants. Cocoa/cacao beans contain 10,000 milligrams (10 grams) of flavanol antioxidants per 100 grams – or an amazing 10% antioxidant concentration level!

Recent research has demonstrated that the antioxidants found in cacao beans are highly stable and easily available to the human metabolism. Of all known foods, cacao is also the ONLY food which does NOT lose its Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) over significant periods of time. This makes cocoa both the most POTENT source of antioxidants and a source of the most USABLE antioxidants found in any natural food.

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and keep them from damaging the DNA and mitochondria of the body’s cells, which is a major cause of many degenerative diseases, cancer tumors, heart disease, and premature aging. Cells with damaged DNA cannot reproduce healthy new cells, but will reproduce damaged or malignant cells.

Cornell University food scientists discovered that cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea.

Their findings were published in an article entitled “Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and a Higher Antioxidant Capacity than Teas and Red Wine“, published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed publication.

The Cornell researchers, led by Chang Y. Lee, chairman of the Department of Food Science and Technology at Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, state the reason that cocoa leads the other drinks is its high content of antioxidant compounds called phenolic phytochemicals, or flavonoids.

A class of flavonoids known as flavanols or flavan-3-ols includes: catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin. All three are found naturally in the cocoa bean. (Note that flavanols are NOT the same as another very similar-sounding class of flavonoids known as flavonols, which includes: myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol.)

The Cornell researchers discovered 611 milligrams of the phenolic compound gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and 564 milligrams of the flavonoid epicatechin equivalents (ECE) in a single serving of cocoa. Examining a glass of red wine, the researchers found 340 milligrams of GAE and 163 milligrams of ECE. In a cup of green tea, they found 165 milligrams of GAE and 47 milligrams of ECE.

By comparison, 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate delivers as many antioxidants as five ounces of red wine.

That makes cocoa one of the richest sources of antioxidants in any food!

Compare the raw cocoa bean’s 10,000 milligrams of flavanols per 100 grams to other forms of commercial chocolate…
Processed cocoa powder (defatted and roasted cocoa beans treated with potassium carbonate) and chocolate candy range in flavanol content from the more common concentration of 500 milligrams of flavanols per 100 grams of normal chocolate bars, to a concentration of 5,000 milligrams (5 grams) of flavanols per 100 grams of Cocoapro cocoa powder from the Mars Corporation.

Neither comes close to the high concentration of flavanol antioxidants in raw cocoa/cacao beans – 10 grams of flavanols per 100 grams.

If you want to continue reading more about this article go to: http://www.astrologyzine.com/healthy-chocolate.shtml#health-benefits

“Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.”
Mahatma Gandhi

A bowl of soy or tofu ice cream will be much improved with a bit of this sweet pear compote spooned over the top.

Ingredients

2 ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup seedless raisins
1/3 cup apple juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons butter (optional)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Put pears, raisins, juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter into a small pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.

Add vinegar, salt and pepper and continue to cook until juice is thickened and pears just begin to fall apart, about 5 minutes more. Set aside to let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.

Nutrition

Per serving (about 4oz/100g-wt.): 90 calories (15 from fat), 1.5g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 19g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 14g sugar), 1g protein

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
~ Dalai Lama

Directions

SERVE AND ENJOY!

www.allrecipies.com

Truly a gem of the Caribbean – the port town of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia has been a beauty and delight to visitors for centuries. Between the sultry sounds and the warm ocean breezes, Cartagena is the perfect place to slow down, relax and sooth the mind, body and spirit – and to enjoy a very special yoga retreat and winter get-away!

A Touch of Heaven
We’ll spend 7 days in our own private heavenly mansion, centering ourselves and deepening our yoga practice. Each day yoga teacher Jhon T (owner of Atmananda Yoga Center in NYC) will guide us into the sacred vinyasa practice – opening ourselves to the power of transformation, quieting our minds, and opening our hearts. By the time we go home we will be refreshed in our bodies and our souls ready to make positive changes in our lives.

Tropical Gem
Filled with delightful little shops, intimate cafes, charming colonial buildings, and quaint restaurants – you will be inspired by this Caribbean town. Even Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez loves this wonderful city (he grew up near by and later lived in the city) and used it for the backdrop of his famous book; Love in the Time of Cholera. But don’t worry, there will be plenty of time to explore town in between daily yoga lessons!

Exquisite Luxury
Truly you’ll be staying in one of the most stunningly beautiful and oldest historic colonial homes in Cartagena. Casa Pombo has roots dating back to the beginnings of Cartagena, which was settled in 1533. In 1804, this aristocratic mansion belonged to Don Manuel de Anguiano, commanding officer of the Royal Army who was a hero in the War for the Independence. This majestic mansion was renovated by the famous master architect Alvaro Barrera in 2007, and it is considered one of the most prestigious and exclusive residences of Cartagena. During your stay, you’ll be taken care of by dedicated personnel who will give you all the special attention you need and deserve as if you were in a grand luxury hotel. To see a slide show of the house – go to http://www.journeysofthespirit.com/details/info-cartagena-yoga/

$2629.00 USD per person single occupancy,
$2169.00 USD per person double occupancy
**Help us make this trip amazing and save money! For every person you bring on this journey
you will receive $250.00 USD off the trip price!**
A deposit of $700.00 USD with your trip registration forms is preferred by: December 1st,
2009. Final payment is due: January 1st, 2010.
If you would like to join us, please give Sheri a ring at 727-421-0849 or on the web at
http://www.journeysofthespirit.com/trips/cartagena-yoga/

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” Buddha quote