Posted on 10/03/2005 9:44:20 PM PDT by nickcarraway
There is a new reason to indulge in dark chocolate.
A new study out of Oakland finds dark chocolate may help people suffering from certain stomach problems.
Researchers at Children's Hospital and Research Center discovered a chemical in cocoa bens can relieve mild symptoms of diarrhea.
Researchers say this could one day lead to natural treatments which are inexpensive and have little to no side effects.
Bay City News Service
OAKLAND - Dark chocolate may offer mild relief to people who suffer from intestinal problems, according to a study by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland.
Researchers at Children's say the study is the first to discover that a chemical in cocoa beans can limit the development of fluids that cause diarrhea.
Cocoa beans contain a large amount of chemicals called flavonoids. Scientists believe that these flavonoids can be used to create natural supplements to ease diarrhea symptoms.
Children's researchers say dark chocolate contains high concentrations of cocoa and may offer mild relief.
The study, published in the October issue of The Journal of Nutrition, found that cocoa flavonoids can bind to and inhibit a protein in the intestines called CFTR which regulates fluid secretion in the small intestines.
The research was done in collaboration with scientists at Heinrich Heine University in Germany.
Horst Fischer, an associate scientist at Children's who co-authored the study, said, `Our study presents the first evidence that fluid loss by the intestine can be prevented by cocoa flavonoids. Ultimately, this discovery could lead to the development of natural treatments that are inexpensive, easy to access and are unlikely to have side effects.`
According to Children's officials, each year, Americans record an average of 2.4 million visits to their doctor with symptoms of diarrhea. Children younger than the age of five and the elderly are the most likely to develop grave health problems if their condition leads to dehydration.
Beate Illek, an associate scientist at Children's who also co-authored the study, said, `Patients with diarrhea can lose dangerous amounts of fluids.`
In severe cases, children or elderly patients with diarrhea can die from dehydration within a few days.
Children's officials say that history shows that the use of cocoa to treat diarrhea dates back to the 16th century by ancient South American and European cultures, but until now, no one knew exactly why the cocoa bean appeared to be a remedy.
Illek said, `Our research successfully proves that this ancient myth is really based on scientific principals.`
For more than a year, scientists tested cocoa extract and flavonoids in cell cultures that mimic the lining of the intestine. All of the cultures reported lower fluid levels.
The tests consequently confirmed that cocoa flavonoids are indeed a possible remedy for diarrhea.
"The tests consequently confirmed that cocoa flavonoids are indeed a possible remedy for diarrhea."
I wondered where the term "Hershey Squirts" came from.
<cynicism> That is exactly why this will go nowhere. No profits for the drug companies. Most likely, no patents either. </cynicism>
Is it just me or do older people, especially men, tend to like chocolate more and more as they age?
Maybe they've been listening to what their bodies have been telling them...
With my late Granddad, it was anything sweet. His favorite after dinner "drink" was a Dr Pepper float.
I don't know, but I can make a guess. It's to gross to even bring up, but has nothing to do with chocolate.
Lets just say that someone from San Francisco, Key West, or Provincetown could probably tell you (wear a full environmental suit and bring a firearm).
It causes the body to release endorphins. There are other ways for the body to release those chemicals but perhaps the older men aren't as able to accomplish that as they were when younger.
I'm more of a gummy worm man, myself.
Don't you mean no regulation by the FDA...
Get a grip will ya?... you sound like some kind of Democrat or something.
That explains why I never have the runs after Valantines day.
PING :)
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