Health Benefits of Chocolate - Free Radical Scavenging- OK!

[RADPROJECT@aol.com]

Finally some good news.

A recent electronic newsletter for an rather detailed and well referenced
environmental newsletter [see: Environmental Research Foundation, below]
mentioned recent research about the long-term health benefits of eating
chocolate in terms of preventing heart disease. Chocolate is said to scavenge
free radicals, which are the chemical species generated by radiation exposure
which lead to cellular damage. It seems prudent that one should also eat lots
of chocolate in the event of, or in advance of, radiation exposure. Who knows?

A modest suggestion:  Maybe chocolate should be stockpiled as part of every
emergency plan along with potassium iodide. Even if it doesn't prevent long-
term damage it might help to put people at ease. I know I always feel better
after eating chocolate.

Stewart Farber, MS Public Health
Public Health Sciences

Phone/Fax: (401) 727-4947
Email: radproject@usa.net
Website: http://www.delphi.com/carsreap

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

<<Authors of the study speculate that it may be chocolate that is
providing life-prolonging benefits to candy eaters. Previous
studies have shown that chocolate reduces the danger of heart
attack. (See REHW #527.) They compare chocolate to red wine,
which is also believed to reduce heart disease, when used in
moderation.[10]

Chocolate is also known to act as an antioxidant (tieing up
"free radical" oxygen molecules).[11] Antioxidants are believed
to reduce the dangers of both heart disease and cancer.>>


==========
References noted above:

[9] I-Min Lee and Ralph S. Paffenbarger Jr., "Life is sweet:
candy consumption and longevity," BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Vol.
317, No. 7174 (December 19-26, 1998), pgs. 1683-1684.

[10] Richard Doll, "One for the heart," BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
Vol. 315 (1997), pgs. 1664-1668.

[11] A.L. Waterhouse and others, "Antioxidants in Chocolate,"
LANCET Vol. 348 (1996), pg. 834.

=============================
Source for above excerpt on chocolate:

RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY #634           .
.                    ---January 21, 1999---                     .
.                          HEADLINES:                           .
.                 LIABILITY FOR GLOBAL WARMING?                 .
.                          ==========                           .
.               THE RAW POWER OF THE CORPORATION                .
.                          ==========                           .
.                         LIFE IS SWEET                         .
.                          ==========                           .
.               Environmental Research Foundation               .
.              P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD  21403              .
.          Fax (410) 263-8944; E-mail: erf@rachel.org           .

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