Dear All,
Greetings from Al Ain, the oasis city of the middles east in the United Arab
Emirates..
"Want to reduce cholesterol or top up your driving skills? Eat Chocolate".
Thus ran the title of a news item in a local newspaper (Gulf News)
http://www.gulf-news.co.ae to day (Today's paper is not yet online).
According to the paper these were the findings of a survey commissioned by
the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO). The survey showed that cocoa
could possibly cut the risk of developing cancer and heart disease. It added
that cocoa packed with antioxidants was a "treasure chest of compounds with
potentially beneficial effects on human health.
It appears that chocolate was even seen improving driving skills. According
to a representative of Mars Inc., simulated driving test indicated that
participants were less likely to have an accident after eating chocolate
compared with cheese & biscuits or not eating all.
(Probably this is why they sell chocolates in all petrol stations!!!)
Your dentists were also proved wrong. An investigation measuring dental
plaque acid levels showed chocolate was as likely to cause tooth decay as
white bread or wheat flakes because of the effect of "protective chemicals
naturally present in cocoa and in milk used to make chocolate".
Though I was consoled by this report (as I occasionally indulge in chocolate
treats!!!)I will be grateful for your comments both from an evidence-based
health and from a public health perspective. Has any body seen the full
report and has it been critically appraised; the methodology etc? Has this
been peer reviewed? I could not see any mention of its publication in one of
the journals. What are the effects of other constituents of chocolates for
example calories and how do the benefits balance with harm?
I am sure the survey findings will have a impact on peoples' behavior,
especially in affluent countries with high vehicle ownership (UAE is the
fourth richest country according to the world bank, hence my interest)
I apologise for this lengthy message but I thought some of you would be
interested in this area which could affect the health of the common man in
one way or the other.
Cheers,
Badri
Dr.P.Badrinath M.D.,M.Phil.,(Epid) PhD(Cantab)
Assistant Professor and Epidemiologist,
Department of Community Medicine,
UAE University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain,
United Arab Emirates.
Tel: 00 971 3 5039 652
Fax: 00 971 3 672022.
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(Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this message is that of the individual
and does not reflect the views of his employer)
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