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CHOCOLATE FACTS
Chocolate could help prevent tooth decay, according to scientists at Japan's Osaka University. The husks of the cocoa beans from which chocolate is made contain an antibacterial agent that fights plaque. These husks are usually discarded in chocolate production, but in future they could be added back in to chocolate to make it dental-friendly.
They concluded that the cavity-fighting action of cocoa bean husks isn't enough to offset decay caused by chocolate's high sugar content, however, so chocolate isn't going to replace toothpaste any time soon.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE WEEK
A dose of Green & Black’s or a chunk of Toblerone is just what the doctor ordered when you’ve had the day from hell. We all know just how scrumptious the stuff is, but is it really good for you?
It’s Chocolate Week from 16-22 October!
It May Lower Your Blood Pressure
In February 2006, Dutch scientists found that chocolate contains chemicals called flavan-3 oils which have been linked to lower blood pressure and improved function of the cells lining the blood vessels. In a study of 470 men aged 65-84 years, the researchers found that the men who consumed cocoa had lower blood pressure and were less likely to die from cardiovascular problems.
It May Provide Protection from Heart Disease
In 1999, researchers measured the amount of catechins, the chemical thought to be behind some of the benefits, in different types of chocolate. Catechins are believed to protect against heart disease and cancer and so eating products that contain them could have health benefits. Dark chocolate contains 53.5mg of catechins per 100g whereas milk contains 15.9mg per 100g.
It May Soothe Coughs
In November 2004, a study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that an ingredient of chocolate called theobromine was more effective at stopping persistent coughs than the leading cough medicine codeine. It is thought that theobromine suppresses the activity of the vagus nerve, which causes coughing. The dose given to each volunteer was equivalent to theobromine found in a 50g bar of dark chocolate or two cups of cocoa.
With this in mind - Gourmet Games has developed a fab new game – the Chocolate Tasting Game. Apparently, single origin chocolate tasting is the wine-tasting of the noughties, to appreciate the distinctive tastes of chocolate from around the world. This perfect for a girls’ night in game contains 4 bags of single origin chocolates (the chocolate comes from a particular country). They also contain a high percentage of cocoa solids, some so high that the milk chocolate cocoa content is equivalent to that found in supermarket dark chocolate.
You have to read the tasting guides which describe the tastes of each chocolate – then guess the country that each chocolate comes from and the percentage of cocoa in each. The chocolate comes in button form so that players can have several tastes and there is a prize for the winner. “Not sure about that one, I’m going to have to have another taste”
To order from Gourmet Games go online to www.gourmetgames.co.uk or telephone 020 8660 2943.
