Author Topic: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?  (Read 932 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Online Grumpmeister

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36126
  • Reputation: -24
  • Prankmeister General
Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« on: April 23, 2009, 11:32:41 AM »
Eating chocolate to see if there are medical benefits. Somehow I can't see them being short of volunteers.  lol:

Quote
Volunteers are wanted by researchers to see how compounds in dark chocolate might help fight heart disease.

The scientists in Aberdeen aim to assess how flavonoids, found naturally in cocoa, could fend off disease.

Forty volunteers aged between 18 and 70 will be asked to eat a cocoa-rich dark chocolate specially made for the study, standard chocolate, or white chocolate.

Urine and blood samples will then be taken to assess the impact the compounds have on blood function.

Dr Baukje de Roos, principal investigator from the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, said: "A main characteristic of cardiovascular disease is impaired blood flow and the formation of blood clots.

"Platelets play a key role in our blood preventing bleeding if we have suffered a cut or a wound. But in disease conditions platelets can go into overdrive and stick together forming blood clots and blocking blood vessels.

"We already know that flavonoids can stop platelets from sticking together but we don't know how they do this."

Dr Roos said: "Our study will help us understand how these flavonoids may benefit blood platelets and, in turn, help protect against cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke."

'Not the answer'

Luisa Ostertag, a fellow study researcher from the university, added: "The standard and white chocolate bars are being used as a control in the study as they will have no benefit on platelets because it is the compounds in cocoa that hold the key.

"But eating a lot of dark chocolate bars is not the answer to protecting against cardiovascular disease because they are high in saturated fat and sugar.

"But perhaps studies like ours could ultimately lead to these special compounds being included in healthier foods or in health supplements."

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main cause of death in the UK.

Anyone interested in taking part in the study, who has no health problems, can contact 01224 716693 or email l.ostertag@abdn.ac.uk
The universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements. Energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest.

Offline Miss Demeanour

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36015
  • Reputation: 2
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2009, 11:52:58 AM »
You called  whistle:
Skubber

Offline The Moan Ranger

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 13952
  • Reputation: 1
  • No surrender
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2009, 11:54:49 AM »
Lindt 85%  cloud9:

Online Grumpmeister

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36126
  • Reputation: -24
  • Prankmeister General
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2009, 11:58:21 AM »
No how did I know that Miss D would be the first person to reply to this.  lol:
The universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements. Energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest.

Offline Miss Demeanour

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36015
  • Reputation: 2
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2009, 12:16:44 PM »
Because I am sooo predictable  cry:
Skubber

Online Grumpmeister

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36126
  • Reputation: -24
  • Prankmeister General
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2009, 12:20:22 PM »
Because I am sooo predictable  cry:

Ah but we wouldnt want you any other way Miss D.  happy100
The universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements. Energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest.

Offline Miss Creant Commander of the picklement and baking BAb(Hons)

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 16072
  • Reputation: 0
  • I have a keen sense of stupidity!
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2009, 02:11:53 PM »
Eating chocolate to see if there are medical benefits. Somehow I can't see them being short of volunteers.  lol:

Quote
Volunteers are wanted by researchers to see how compounds in dark chocolate might help fight heart disease.

The scientists in Aberdeen aim to assess how flavonoids, found naturally in cocoa, could fend off disease.

Forty volunteers aged between 18 and 70 will be asked to eat a cocoa-rich dark chocolate specially made for the study, standard chocolate, or white chocolate.

Urine and blood samples will then be taken to assess the impact the compounds have on blood function.

Dr Baukje de Roos, principal investigator from the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, said: "A main characteristic of cardiovascular disease is impaired blood flow and the formation of blood clots.

"Platelets play a key role in our blood preventing bleeding if we have suffered a cut or a wound. But in disease conditions platelets can go into overdrive and stick together forming blood clots and blocking blood vessels.

"We already know that flavonoids can stop platelets from sticking together but we don't know how they do this."

Dr Roos said: "Our study will help us understand how these flavonoids may benefit blood platelets and, in turn, help protect against cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke."

'Not the answer'

Luisa Ostertag, a fellow study researcher from the university, added: "The standard and white chocolate bars are being used as a control in the study as they will have no benefit on platelets because it is the compounds in cocoa that hold the key.

"But eating a lot of dark chocolate bars is not the answer to protecting against cardiovascular disease because they are high in saturated fat and sugar.

"But perhaps studies like ours could ultimately lead to these special compounds being included in healthier foods or in health supplements."

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main cause of death in the UK.

Anyone interested in taking part in the study, who has no health problems, can contact 01224 716693 or email l.ostertag@abdn.ac.uk

Two very traditional Scottish names there I see. No doubt they will be wearing the Netherland/German tartan whilst they do their research. Do they not deep fry Mars Bars in that part of the world? 
I have always thought that the worst thing about drowning was having to call 'help!' You must look such a fool. It's put me against drowning.
J Basil Boothroyd

Online Grumpmeister

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36126
  • Reputation: -24
  • Prankmeister General
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2009, 03:04:29 PM »
Curiosity got the better of me once (after a few pints) and I tried a deep fried mars bar.



Obviously I hadn't had enough to drink at the time.  sick2:
The universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements. Energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest.

Offline Miss Demeanour

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 36015
  • Reputation: 2
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2009, 03:05:23 PM »
Why - did it burn your tongue  whistle:
Skubber

Offline Barman

  • Administrator
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 153398
  • Reputation: -50
  • Since 1960...
    • Virtual Pub!
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2009, 03:05:30 PM »
Sounds disgusterous... but I would try one once... after a few pints like...
Pro Skub  Thumbs:

Offline Miss Creant Commander of the picklement and baking BAb(Hons)

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 16072
  • Reputation: 0
  • I have a keen sense of stupidity!
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2009, 03:39:56 PM »
I once watched a Cadbury's creme egg eating competition, held in a pub, late at night, gross! I seem to recall that the curry was good tho eveilgrin:
I have always thought that the worst thing about drowning was having to call 'help!' You must look such a fool. It's put me against drowning.
J Basil Boothroyd

Offline Darwins Selection

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 39138
  • Reputation: 6
  • I mostly despair
Re: Any chocoholics want to help advance medicine?
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2009, 04:26:08 PM »
I once watched a Cadbury's creme egg eating competition, held in a pub, late at night, gross! I seem to recall that the curry was good tho eveilgrin:
I mostly despair