BACKGROUND NOX-2, the catalytic subunit of NADPH oxidase, has a key role in the formation of reactive oxidant species and is implicated in impairing flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Dark chocolate exerts artery dilatation via down-regulating NOX2-mediated oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dark chocolate improves walking autonomy in peripheral artery disease (PAD) p...

As noted by Ziegler, Hayes, and Lambert (1), most publications in food science are about food compositions and their related health effects. However, our paper (2) focuses on a new electrorheological (ER) technology, which works with all samples from major chocolate manufacturers in reducing chocolate’s viscosity and lowering the fat level. Ziegler et al. (1) agree that current chocolate produc...

A systematic review was conducted to evaluate whether chocolate or its constituents were capable of influencing cognitive function and/or mood. Studies investigating potentially psychoactive fractions of chocolate were also included. Eight studies (in six articles) met the inclusion criteria for assessment of chocolate or its components on mood, of which five showed either an improvement in moo...

Chocolate and cocoa flavanols have been associated with improvements in a range of health complaints dating from ancient times, and has established cardiovascular benefits. Less is known about the effects of chocolate on neurocognition and behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chocolate intake was associated with cognitive function, with adjustment for cardiovascular, life...

The surface composition, in terms of sugar and fat content, on untempered and overtempered chocolates was estimated by carefully scraping the surface layer and analyzing fat and sugar melting enthalpies by differential scanning calorimetry. The dull surface of over-tempered chocolate had a fat and sugar composition similar to the initial chocolate mass, whereas the surface bloom formed on untem...

At Christmas many doctors experience brief but well intentioned and tangible gestures of successful patientdoctor relationships. Various patients’ gifts, such as boxes of chocolates or bottles of wine, are always appreciated by the recipient. Although doctors may receive more permanent gifts, very few will have had the delight of having their portrait painted by their patient. Artists from diff...

The Olmec civilization (1500 BC) was the first to transform the cocoa bean into a form of chocolate. For a long time, the cocoa bean has been used as a foodstuff as well as currency. It also has had both religious and divine aspects. In the eighteen-century, the Europeans found it had some aphrodisiac properties [1]. Although chocolate is no longer reserved for the elite, from a scientific poin...

Reducing the fat content of chocolate formulations is a major challenge for the confectionery industry. We report the suspension of aqueous microgel agar particles of up to 80% v/v within sunflower oil, cocoa butter, and ultimately chocolate. The optimised emulsification process involves a shear-cooling step. We demonstrate the versatility of our method when applied to white, milk, and dark cho...

The effect of chocolate on a group of volunteer migrainous subjects, who had observed that headache regularly occurred after the ingestion of small amounts of cocoa products, was investigated. Two separate studies were carried out in a double-blind placebo controlled manner. Only 13 headaches occurred to chocolate alone in 80 subject sessions, and only two subjects responded consistently to cho...