2008 Woodie Awards
Is Chocolate Good For Me?
Professor Bridgit Goldman; Biology Department
Issue date: 5/31/07 Section: Sci/Tech
Have you heard that it is healthy to drink a glass of red wine everyday? Or that chocolate is good for you? I'm sorry to tell you that it's not the alcohol or the sugar that's beneficial; it's the antioxidants.
You could probably identify foods rich in antioxidants by the tantalizing colors the antioxidants produce: red strawberries, purple beets, orange carrots and green tea, to name a few. Different fruits and vegetables produce varying antioxidants making all these colors. Anthocyanidins are the specific antioxidants in wine, while it's the flavanols in the cocoa plant that are responsible for health giving effects in humans. Why are antioxidants so great? Simply stated, these molecules have the ability to absorb free radicals.
Free radicals are highly reactive atoms or molecules that accumulate in your body due to such deleterious influences as: the sun's UV rays, exposure to toxins, and poor diet (e.g., foods containing any ingredients that are "partially hydrogenated"). But not all free radicals come from harmful sources. In order to live, we need to breathe oxygen, which ends up in every cell of our bodies. But as our bodies utilize this life-giving oxygen, a byproduct is created: free radical oxygen molecules. Now, our body makes its own antioxidants to combat these bad boys, but as we age our ability to make them and repair the damage made by them decreases. As a result, free radical oxygen builds up. So why is this such a bad thing?
Think of free radicals as tiny little comets buzzing all over. They wreak havoc on your cells, blowing holes in whatever comes in their path. Most detrimental is when a free radical bombards your DNA and damages an important gene or two or three… you get the picture. Free radicals can damage your DNA! DNA is your master backup system for all body functions. If you damage it, the consequences are devastating. Every body is unique, reacting to DNA damage differently. For some, wrinkled and spotted skin is the consequence. For others, damaged DNA can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.
You could probably identify foods rich in antioxidants by the tantalizing colors the antioxidants produce: red strawberries, purple beets, orange carrots and green tea, to name a few. Different fruits and vegetables produce varying antioxidants making all these colors. Anthocyanidins are the specific antioxidants in wine, while it's the flavanols in the cocoa plant that are responsible for health giving effects in humans. Why are antioxidants so great? Simply stated, these molecules have the ability to absorb free radicals.
Free radicals are highly reactive atoms or molecules that accumulate in your body due to such deleterious influences as: the sun's UV rays, exposure to toxins, and poor diet (e.g., foods containing any ingredients that are "partially hydrogenated"). But not all free radicals come from harmful sources. In order to live, we need to breathe oxygen, which ends up in every cell of our bodies. But as our bodies utilize this life-giving oxygen, a byproduct is created: free radical oxygen molecules. Now, our body makes its own antioxidants to combat these bad boys, but as we age our ability to make them and repair the damage made by them decreases. As a result, free radical oxygen builds up. So why is this such a bad thing?
Think of free radicals as tiny little comets buzzing all over. They wreak havoc on your cells, blowing holes in whatever comes in their path. Most detrimental is when a free radical bombards your DNA and damages an important gene or two or three… you get the picture. Free radicals can damage your DNA! DNA is your master backup system for all body functions. If you damage it, the consequences are devastating. Every body is unique, reacting to DNA damage differently. For some, wrinkled and spotted skin is the consequence. For others, damaged DNA can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jo
posted 6/04/07 @ 4:46 AM EST
Well I think thats a great information indeed.Gourmet Chocolate at www.gourmet-chocolates.org adds to online chocolates.
Post a Comment