Dr. Gary’s Nutritional Library

“Super Fruits” are designated as such because of their antioxidant capacity, content of polyphenols* and other nutritional chemicals which are linked to certain health benefits. The authors present chocolate as being a Super Fruit.

The cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) produces fruit with seeds from which cocoa powder and chocolate are extracted. In this article the authors portray cacao as being comparable to items usually called Super Fruits. Chocolate does go through a process of fermentation, and the cocoa products used in this study were natural and non-alkalized. Alkalization is used in many cocoa products to mellow the flavor, but alkalization destroys the polyphenols.

The authors studied fruit powders and other fruit products for their antioxidant capacity, polyphenol content and total flavanol (TF) content. Antioxidant is measured in ORAC units, and cocoa powder had the best ORAC score and TF of the fruit powders tested. Dark chocolate was a better source of ORAC and TF than fruit juices. Cocoa flavanols** have previously been noted to be anti-inflammatory, increase nitric oxide production, increase blood flow, reduce blood pressure and reduce blood coagulation.

Other fruits tested included acai, cranberry, blueberry and pomegranate. The authors noted that there was considerable variation of the test results of specific fruits from different brands.

CONCLUSION: Cacao products should be considered as being Super Fruits, as cacao is a fruit and the health benefits seem to be as good as other products called Super Fruits.

NOTE: *Polyphenols are a large class of chemicals found in fruits and vegetables which have a number of beneficial functions in human bodies. **Flavanols are a specific type of polyphenol.

Purchase chocolate which has a low content of sugar for better nutrition, and select non-alkalized cocoa products for more polyphenols. (White chocolate is not really chocolate.)

Read about cocoa polyphenols in chronic fatigue syndrome. Read about polyphenols from kudzu in endometriosis.

To see the author’s abstract of the article, click on the title of the article. Then, click on the full free text icon.

PMID: 21299842.

Summary #530.

Disclaimer

You are entering the portion of the website of Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, Inc., that is here “to strive to offer education”, as stated in our Mission Statement. Here we are reporting on scientific studies that are about the value of nutritional supplements and whole foods for our health. We will attempt to report on the latest studies regarding the supplements and foods sold at Rainbow Grocery. The summaries of the articles are our own. These summaries are not intended to promote any particular product or food that Rainbow sells, but only to provide information about them.

You are your own best doctor. Study as much as you can. Consult with your doctor. Find one open to alternatives if your doctor isn’t. Make your own decisions and take responsibility for your own health. We hope this information will help you make your decisions.

We can’t and don’t intend to prescribe for you. We can’t and don’t intend to provide medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Don’t disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Nothing in this website is intended to create a health practitioner-patient relationship. Reliance on the information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. In using this web site you agree that neither Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, Inc. nor any other party is or will be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to your use of any information presented at this web site.

Descargo de responsabilidad

Advertencia sobre el uso de los resúmenes de estudios médicos publicados en este portal:

Usted está entrando a la parte del portal de Internet de la Cooperativa de Rainbow Grocery, Inc. cuyo fin es “procurar ofrecer elementos educativos” tal como lo establece nuestra Declaración de Principios. Lo que aquí se reporta son estudios científicos sobre el valor nutricional de suplementos y alimentos completos para la salud. Trataremos de incluir los estudios más recientes sobre suplementos y productos alimenticios que se expenden en Rainbow Grocery. Los resúmenes de los artículos han sido elaborados por nosotros. Pero su inclusión no tiene como fin promover productos específicos que se venden en Rainbow, sino sólo proporcionar información sobre los mismos.

Usted es su mejor doctor. Estudie e infórmese tanto como le sea posible. Consulte a su médico. Busque uno de mente abierta a alternativas si el actual no lo es. Tome sus propias decisiones y hágase responsable de su salud. Esperamos que la información aquí presentada le ayude a tomar las mejores decisiones.

No podemos ni es nuestra intención ofrecer recetas o proporcionar asesoría médica. Usted siempre debe consultar con su médico u otro proveedor profesional de servicios de salud cuando tenga preguntas relacionadas con su salud. No ignore los consejos profesionales de su médico, ni deje de buscarlos en base a lo que haya leído en nuestro portal.

Nada en este portal tiene la finalidad de crear una relación paciente-profesional de la salud. El uso de la información aquí presentada es bajo su cuenta y riesgo. Al usar este portal, usted acepta que ni la Cooperativa de Rainbow Grocery, Inc. ni tercera partes son responsables de forma alguna por cualqui.