Ahhhh ... chocolate!

[Glenda]

Have to share this bit of good news (presuming it is correct, of course). ;)

Never again need I feel guilty about drinking that "Wicked Chocolate Calciyum!". ::)


Chocolate Milk Could Be Key To Longer, Healthier Life
Science Daily ?

The popular saying goes that 70 is the new 60 and 60 is the new 50, unfortunately for much of New Zealand's aging population declining muscle function means it simply isn't true.

New research however from The University of Auckland's Faculty of Science aims to develop a non-pharmaceutical means to maintain muscle function and quality of life in older individuals. The good news is the answer could be as simple as taking a stroll followed by a glass of chocolate milk.

Senior lecturer at the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Dr Benjamin Miller, says the goal of his research is not to make athletes out of the elderly, but to increase our lifespan and quality of life in old age.

"The ability of people to create energy and perform work stems from structures that exist inside our cells called mitochondria. As we grow older the amount of mitochondria we have decreases and with it our respiratory capacity.

"This decline is determined by the turnover of proteins in the mitochondria. We hope to highlight an effective and easy way to maintain the protein content in muscles or at least replace old and damaged proteins with new ones."

With funding assistance from the New Zealand Health Research Council, Dr Miller and PhD student Cheryl Murphy, asked a group of elderly kiwis to perform two identical sessions of aerobic exercise on a stationary bike. After one session the participants were asked to drink a mixture of protein and carbohydrate (e.g. sweetened milk) and after the other just carbohydrates.

It is well known that consuming proteins and sugars after resistance training increases the synthesis of proteins used for force i.e. it builds muscles. Dr Miller's research will tell us whether doing the same after aerobic exercise can also increase the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins which affect our ability to make energy and play a large role in our mortality.

"We know of course that exercise has a wide variety of health benefits, but our research specifically targets mitochondria since they are a cause of age-related decreases in muscle function.

"If successful, we could prove that our non-pharmaceutical means to increase muscle quality could mean that a practice as simple as drinking a Milo after exercise may help reduce our morbidity and prolong mortality."


This is on http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0302091856.htm

Other choccy articles for those interested:-

Hot Cocoa Tops Red Wine And Tea In Antioxidants; May Be Healthier Choice
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1106051159.htm

A Few Squares Of Dark Chocolate A Day May Stave Off Artery Hardening In Smokers
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0102123255.htm

In Chocolate, More Cocoa Means Higher Antioxidant Capacity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0421234416.htm

Study Shows Flavored Milk Gives Kids More Calcium But Not Fat & Calories
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0708081413.htm

:D

[MotherBear]

Chocolate .

My name is Mother Bear. I am a recovering chocoholic.

Sounds like very good news, Glenda, but can they do something about the number of calories? If only they could fix that I'd be a happy bunny (chocolate Easter one, of course)

[selchie]

After my Christmas chocolate-eating frenzy, I'm trying to cut back, yet still get my theobromine fix. The local herb store is now selling cocoa nibs, so I bought a bit. So far, I've just nibbled on a pinch here and there, which works for me. It's definitely not sweet, but I get the chocolate flavor which I love so well. I need to try making "chocolate tea".

[MotherBear]

After my Christmas chocolate-eating frenzy........

You too, eh? ::) :-[

I like the sound of your cocoa nibs as a standby for an emergency, but I'm usually not too bad as long as there isn't any chocolate in the house. Unfortunately (?) hubster occasionally gets presents of chocolate from companies he interacts with in work and I just can't sit back and watch to poor guy struggle on his own with them.......can I?

Chocolate tea?? But I'd be glad to hear your opinion if you ever get to try it.