There is no evidence that sugar-addictive behaviors suggested by animal studies exist for humans, claims the author of a new scientific review published in Clinical Nutrition.
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Psychology professor David Benton, who specializes in dietary influences on mood and cognitive function at the University of Swansea in Wales, examined a number of predictions starting from the hypothesis that it is possible to develop a sugar (sucrose) addiction.
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If sugar addiction exists, Benton suggested, addicts would experience increased food cravings, predominantly for sweet items; cravings would be especially strong in the morning, after an overnight fast; obese people would find sweet foods particularly attractive; and high sugar consumption would predispose people to obesity.
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| “There is no support from the human literature for the hypothesis that sucrose may be physically addictive or that addiction to sugar plays a role in eating disorders,” Read more at www.confectionerynews.com |
| Depriving yourself of sugary food can backfire, according to new research recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It can activate the brain’s stress system, causing anxiety and withdrawal-like symptoms, and leading to overeating the forbidden foods.Read more at www.confectioneryproduction.com |
Replacing some of the cocoa butter with milk fat can control fat bloom in chocolate, according to new research from Canada.
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Fat bloom frequently results in significant product losses for confectionary manufacturers as, although it does not affect the taste, the tell-tale sign of the bloom - a white frosting - is unacceptable to consumers.
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Fat bloom is a consequence of changes in the fat structure of the substance and can be caused by inadequate cooling processes whereby tiny temperature fluctuations as small as plus or minus 2°C can cause cocoa butter crystals to melt and then recrystallise, forming large cone-like structures that scatter light giving a dull appearance.
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Great article here. Lots of myths busted in this. Read the whole thing for more information. This is something we all need to be aware of. | Could my sweet tooth lead to diabetes? |
One of the oldest myths about diabetes is that sugar — or a sweet tooth — causes the disease. Says Riva Greenberg, a patient advocate and the author of 50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life, “A lot of people still think you get diabetes from eating too much candy.” |
Not true. Nor is it necessary for diabetics to avoid all sugar. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, protein, veggies, and fruit — and low in fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars (which cause blood sugar to spike) — is a healthy plan for everybody. Read more at www.cnn.com |
Just a few squares every day helps to prevent wrinkles caused by UV light in
the sun’s rays, it suggests.
Scientists who carried out the study say it might also lower the risk of skin
cancer.
But it only works with dark chocolate that is very high in flavanols, the
antioxidants that occur naturally in cocoa beans the main ingredient in
chocolate.
Antioxidants are compounds that protect against so-called free radicals,
molecules which accumulate in the body and damage cells. Read more at www.telegraph.co.uk |
There’s a lot of great information in this article about exercise, candy, glycemic levels and other important stuff. | Simple carbohydrates are sucked up by glucose-thirsty muscles during a workout and in the 40 to 90 minutes after a workout; and Halloween candy offers up simple sugars in abundance. So the best time to pilfer from your kids’ candy coffers is on your way to the gym. |
| Best candies to prevent a bonk |
| Skittles® (Glycemic load 132)Caramel Twix® (GL 129)Twizzlers® (GL 40)Tootsie Roll® (GL 25)York Peppermint Patty® (GL 24) |
| Reeses Peanut Butter Cups® (GL 2)Milky Way® (GL 4)Mounds® (GL 6)Baby Ruth® (GL 7)Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds® (GL 10) |
Research has shown that there are important antioxidants in good quality cocoa, including resveratrol, which is also found in berries, grapes and peanuts.
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Studies show that resveratrol can increase the health and lifespan of human cells, which could have a positive effect on our longevity.
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Resveratrol’s benefits include protecting our cells from free radical damage, supporting healthy blood pressure levels, promoting healthy blood vessels, slowing the aging process and supporting our immune system.
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Researchers in Italy found that a small amount of dark chocolate (6.7 grams) caused a decrease in inflammation, along with a reduction of 17 percent of C-reactive protein (CRP), a measure of arterial inflammation.
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Based on their study, a healthy serving would be just one square of Trader Joe’s 73 percent Organic Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolate containing less than 70 percent cocoa typically has enough sugar to negate the health benefits, so choose carefully.
Read more at www.thecreswellchronicle.com |
| Chewing sugarfree gum before and after meals can aid in decreasing calorie intake, according to research supported by the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. |
Participants in the study, conducted at the University of Rhode Island through a grant from the Wrigley Science Institute, consumed up to 68 fewer calories at lunch and reported feeling less hungry after chewing sugarfree gum prior to eating. In addition, chewing gum after a meal was found to increase energy by an average of five percent. Read more at www.candyandsnacktoday.com |
Any parent that has ever witnessed the aftermath of a child’s birthday party has probably blamed sugar for the mayhem that followed the cake and ice cream. But the fact is that sugar may actually be an innocent victim of guilt by association. |
Experts say the notion that sugar causes children to become hyperactive is by far the most popular example of how people believe food can affect behavior, especially among young children. |
However, despite years of debate and research on the relationship between food and behavior, no major studies have been able to provide any clear scientific evidence to back up those claims. |
| “There haven’t been any good scientific studies that show that there is an adverse effect on a child or adult’s behavior chronically with the ingestion of foods.” |
“There is elegant research demonstrating that sugar is not at all related to inattention or hyperactivity,” says Mina Dulcan, MD, head of child and adolescent psychiatry at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Read more at www.medicinenet.com |
| CACAO or dark chocolate comprises a number of raw and processed food produced from the seed of the tropical cacao tree and has been cultivated for at least three millennia all over the world for its benefits to the circulatory system. |
| Though regularly eaten for pleasure, there are potential beneficial health effects of eating chocolate, which includes serving as anticancer, brain stimulator, cough preventive and antidiarrhoeal effects. An aphrodisiac effect is yet unproven. |
| Recent studies have suggested that cocoa or dark chocolate may possess certain beneficial effects on human health. This is mainly caused by a particular substance present in cocoa called epicatechin. Cocoa possesses a significant antioxidant action, protecting against LDL oxidation, perhaps more than other polyphenol antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. |
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No evidence for sugar addiction in people, claims professor
