Category Food

Let’s face it dark chocolate health benefits is one of life’s most decadent treats. No matter how you enjoy it as a candy bar, in a hot drink, drizzled over ice cream chocolate brings joy.

Although chocolate is delicious, it’s not always nutritious — or even real chocolate at all. White chocolate, for example, doesn’t contain cocoa solids. That means it’s much more of a confection than anything else.

But dark chocolate benefits are numerous, as dietitian Devon Peart, MHSc, BASc, RD, explains.

Is dark chocolate healthy?

When compared with other kinds of chocolate, dark chocolate stands tall. “Dark chocolate has lower added sugar and fat than milk or white chocolate,” says Peart, while noting it also boasts an abundance of beneficial antioxidants called flavonoids.

At their core, milk chocolate and dark chocolate have similar ingredients, including cocoa butter, sugar and cocoa solids. The two kinds of chocolate differ in their percentage of cocoa solids, however.

Dark chocolate has between 50% and 90% cocoa solids,” says Peart. “And milk chocolate has between 10% and 50%.”

Unsurprisingly, the percentage of cocoa solids can affect the magnitude of dark chocolate’s benefits. “The higher percentage of cocoa solids, the more flavonoids and the lower sugar,” Peart explains. “If you’re doing 75% or 80% dark chocolate, there’ll be less added sugar than if you were at 50% dark chocolate.”

In addition to being lower in sugar, here are other dark chocolate benefits:

Rich in flavanols

Flavanols are a type of flavonoid that’s found in plants such as the cacao tree. These trees produce the cacao beans used to make chocolate. “Flavanols are abundant in cacao beans,” says Peart. “The cacao beans are fermented and roasted, producing what we call cocoa beans. We make cocoa solids from those.”

Dark chocolate “contains two to three times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids as compared to milk chocolate,” Peart adds. “It’s significantly higher.”

That’s a huge health benefit for your heart. Flavanols are related to the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes your blood vessels and improves blood flow. In turn, this also lowers blood pressure.

Better blood flow is also great for our overall health. “Improved blood flow means protection from heart disease,” says Peart. “It’s also good for cognition [understanding thought], because you’re having more blood flow to the brain.”

Due to their antioxidant properties, flavanols are also beneficial in fighting cell damage relating to aging. And although more research is needed, scientists have also found some evidence that flavanol-richer chocolate can increase your insulin sensitivity. “The more you are sensitive to insulin, the lower your diabetes risk,” Peart states.

Source of important minerals

Dark chocolate is packed full of important minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. In your body, these minerals are used to support factors such as immunity (zinc), can help keep your bones and teeth healthy (phosphorus), and contribute to better sleep quality (magnesium).

Non-dairy

As its name implies, milk chocolate contains some form of milk or milk solids. But dark chocolate is generally considered non-dairy. That means it’s a good option if you have a sensitivity to milk products or try to keep a dairy-free diet. Peart notes that manufacturing processes could introduce dairy products into the chocolate, so it’s best to check the ingredient list before purchase.

High in fiber

Compared to other sweet treats, dark chocolate is high in fiber. “In a small amount of dark chocolate (about an ounce), there’s are about four grams of fiber,” Peart says.

Protects skin from sun damage

The antioxidants in dark chocolate improve blood flow to your skin and protect it from sun damage. A small study even found that eating chocolate high in flavanols — that is, dark chocolate — can protect your skin from the effects of UV (ultraviolet) rays.

Enhances your mood

Good news: If you feel better after eating dark chocolate, there’s a scientific reason for that. Dark chocolate has long been associate with feelings of pleasure and enjoyment. Those feelings may originate from what are call polyphenolic compounds.

“Polyphenols are antioxidants that lower cortisol, a stress hormone,” Peart explains. “So there are mood-enhancing benefits to eating dark chocolate.” In fact, a study publish in January 2022 found that participants who ate 85% dark chocolate daily maintain better overall mood than others who ate chocolate with less cocoa — or no chocolate at all.

Are there downsides to dark chocolate?

At higher percentages, dark chocolate has a bitter taste and contains more caffeine.

“Caffeine can exacerbate reflux, or heartburn,” says Peart. “If you have a sensitivity to caffeine or don’t want to have caffeine because it’s a stimulant, you should stay away from dark chocolate.”

The amount of caffeine in dark chocolate is far less than the amount you’ll find in coffee, though. “Even if you had two ounces of 70% dark chocolate, there would be around 50 to 60 milligrams of caffeine,” Peart says. “In an eight-ounce cup of coffee, which is much smaller than most people drink, there’s 100 to 200 milligrams.”

Dark chocolate also contains a “moderate amount of saturate fat,” Peart adds, which is the kind associate with high cholesterol. “But the heart-protective benefits of flavanols are thought to outweigh the downside of the saturate fat in dark chocolate.”

What’s the recommended dark chocolate serving size?

Peart says a recommend dark chocolate serving size is between one and two ounces, which is about 30 to 60 grams. That’s a bigger amount of chocolate than you might think. For example, one ounce is the equivalent of three thin squares of chocolate broken off from a bigger bar. Dark chocolate is also best savore slowly — a little goes a long way.

Should you eat dark chocolate every day?

As with any sweet treat, moderation is key. “One misconception often is, ‘Well, dark chocolate is good for me, so I can have however much I want,’” Peart says. “There are some benefits to dark chocolate in terms of antioxidants, like the flavanols. But they’re not compelling enough that we would say you should definitely include this in your diet. Pound for pound, it’s a high-calorie food. It’s definitely something to enjoy in moderation.”

Peart recommends thinking about your dark chocolate consumption much like you would consider your consumption of nuts. Both are filling — meaning, you don’t have to eat as much to feel satisfy — and high in fat, so they are high in calories. You want to stick to smaller portions.

“That being said, the reason why I do often recommend dark chocolate as a good option for a snack or a treat is because it has a strong bitter flavor,” Peart says. “We don’t need a lot of chocolate to enjoy it.”

Because of this strong flavor, dark chocolate is admittedly an acquire taste. “When people first have it, they usually don’t like it,” Peart says. She recommends starting at a less-bitter dark chocolate and moving up. “Start by having 50% dark chocolate and then move up to 65% and then 70% and work your way up.”

Although there are some downsides, dark chocolate is overall a healthier choice if you’re looking for a delicious way to finish off a meal. “And you’ll need less of it to get satisfaction than you would from other sweets,” Peart says. “Dark chocolate is comforting. It signals to your brain that you’re satisfy and finish. And it is satiety-inducing [feeling satisfy], so you are more likely to feel like you’ve had enough.”

When you think of the health benefits of oranges, the first thing that springs to mind is probably vitamin C. Citrus fruits are a terrific source, but oranges (with a medium-size orange coming in at about 62 calories) also provide a number of other protective nutrients.

Here are seven reasons to eat more oranges, the health benefits of orange juice and orange peels—as well as simple ways to enjoy this delicious fruit.

Oranges are water-rich

One medium orange provides four ounces (or a half cup) of water. Roughly 60-70% of the human body is made of water, and it’s required for every bodily process. According to the Institute of Medicine, women 19 and over need 2.7 liters of total fluid per day (about 11 8-oz cups) and men need 3.7 (about 15 8-oz cups). But that’s total fluid, not just beverages.

Foods can provide 20% of your daily fluid needs, and water-rich foods like oranges contribute even more to the daily requirement. Consuming enough daily fluid helps support mental and physical energy, improve circulation, optimize organ function, flush out waste, and maximize metabolism.

Oranges provide gut- and health-protective fiber

A medium orange offers about three grams of fiber, 12% of the daily target. The fiber in oranges supports digestive function, helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, boosts feelings of fullness, and can even contribute to healthy sleep.

8 Health Benefits of Peaches

Nearly two of the three grams of fiber in an orange are soluble fiber. This type of fiber has been shown to help reduce blood cholesterol and fend off internal belly fat called visceral fat. One study that tracked adults over five years found that for each 10-gram increase in soluble fiber consumed, the rate of visceral belly fat accumulation decreased by 3.7%.

That’s significant: Carrying more visceral fat is linked to increased inflammation and a greater risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

Oranges have high vitamin C

One orange packs about 80% of the daily goal for vitamin C. In addition to supporting immune function, this key nutrient helps produce collagen, reduce inflammation, and boost the body’s ability to use fat as a fuel source, both during exercise and at rest. Too little blood vitamin C has also been tied to increased body fat and waist measurements.

Vitamin C also helps boost the absorption of iron, which can enhance oxygen availability and reduce fatigue. This is especially important for premenopausal women who lose iron through menstruation, and those who follow a plant-based diet, since iron is less readily absorbed from plant sources. Vitamin C also acts as an aging-fighting antioxidant, and it’s needed for DNA repair and serotonin production. The latter helps to promote happiness and sleep.

Oranges supply other key nutrients

Potassium and folate are two additional vital nutrients found in oranges. Potassium supports heart function and muscle contractions, and it helps maintain muscle mass. This mineral also acts as a natural diuretic, to reduce blood pressure and counter fluid retention. Folate supports the brain and nervous system, and adequate amounts may help protect against depression and memory problems. Oranges also supply smaller amounts of calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and B vitamins.

Oranges are antioxidant superstars

Flavonoid antioxidants in oranges provide anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial benefits. They also defend against oxidative stress, which is essentially an imbalance between the production of cell-damaging free radicals and the body’s ability to counter their harmful effects.

The antioxidants in oranges may also protect your mental health. A study publish in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher flavonoid intake may be associated with lower depression risk, particularly among older women. A higher flavonoid intake is also link to the prevention of weight gain and reduce body fat.

Orange peels have health benefits, too

Health-protective nutrients aren’t only found in oranges and orange juice; they’re also in the peel. Research shows that flavonoids in citrus peels may help prevent the reproduction, growth, and spread of cancer cells, as well as support apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to kill off dysfunctional cells.

One older University of Arizona study conclude that eating one tablespoon of citrus zest per week may reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer by 30%. A particular compound called herperidin, found in orange rind, has also been shown to protect against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

If you consume citrus peel, opt for organic oranges to reduce exposure to pesticide residues. Use a grater to zest the outer skin, avoiding the more bitter white pith. Add orange zest to homemade salads dressings, or as a garnish for oatmeal, fruit salad, and avocado toast to cook veggies, quinoa, stir fries, and desserts.

Orange juice also has health benefits

While whole oranges are more filling and provide more fiber, juice can count as part of your daily fruit intake. Research on the consumption of citrus juice indicates important benefits. One study found that a higher intake of citrus juice was link to improvements in cognitive function in older adults. Another found that flavanone-rich citrus juice in quantities commonly consume can enhance blood flow to the brain in healthy, young adults.

Freshly squeeze your own juice, or look for 100% orange juice or a blend of orange and other whole fruits. Aim for a four-ounce or half cup portion, and think of juice as a serving of fruit or an ingredient rather than a beverage. Add pure orange juice to a stir-fry sauce, marinade, or soup. Use to make cocktails or mocktails, or freeze in an ice cube tray and add to water along with mint or ginger.

Healthy ways to eat oranges

Oranges are fantastic as is, but you can also add them to overnight oats, garden salads, stir-fry, chilled whole-grain dishes, savory lettuce wraps, and slaw. When including an orange as a snack, combine with nuts or seeds, nut-base cheese or yogurt, or even herb olives. And mix it up by incorporating different varieties, including navel, blood, and mandarin.

A recent study on toxicological potential of House Of Shrooms revealed that the most common way to ingest these fungi is via the oral route. This study examined the toxic effects of various mushroom extracts on the NCM460 colon epithelial cell line, which represents the first contact with mushrooms after consumption.

In addition to cell survival, cytotoxic activities were measure using IC50 values and morphological changes in cells expose to the mushroom extracts. Cells exhibiting morphological changes such as vacuolation and shrinkage, as well as distortion of cell shape, were consider toxic.

Red-colored mushrooms are a specific type of mushroom that is both hallucinogenic and poisonous. The most infamous of these red-colored mushrooms is Amanita muscaria, which has been consume for thousands of years by humans seeking visions.

But it is worth remembering that Amanita muscaria can be lethal in high doses. There are also other species of Amanita that have red-color caps, but these are less harmful.

Oyster mushrooms are not toxic. They are found in Japan, China, and northeastern North America. The cap of an oyster mushroom is large, with no gills and a bright yellow underside. These mushrooms are found in clumps along trees and are especially attractive to cook.

You can find them in the garden, if you know how to identify them. If you suspect a mushroom of being poisonous, you should seek medical help right away.

A mushroom foraging guide is an excellent resource to help you identify the edible species of your local area. It can also help you find food sources that you might not otherwise know about. Although most mushrooms are edible, you need to remember that some are toxic and should be cook before consumption.

And when you do decide to try mushroom foraging, it’s best to seek out the help of an experience mycologist. This can prevent you from becoming an uninform fool.

The results of the study were report as mean + SD (standard deviation), with statistical significance calculate by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD-post-hoc test. The extracts produce from this study result in an extraction yield of about 3.5% of fresh mushroom weight.

The extracts were then use for toxicity tests in vivo and vitro. Aside from these two effects, the results of this study are promising for mushrooms research.

Poisonous mushrooms are particularly dangerous, especially for young children. In Victoria, the most common poisonous mushroom is the death cap, or yellow staining mushroom. This poisonous mushroom looks similar to cultivate mushrooms, but the toxin in it can affect the kidneys and liver.

Therefore, the yellow staining mushroom should be avoid if you’re not an expert in mushroom-eating. In addition to its toxicity, death cap mushroom can also cause serious gastrointestinal disturbances and may cause drug-relate hallucinations.

Many people have heard of penis envy mushrooms, but do you know where they come from? Terence McKenna, an ethnobotanist, mystic, author, and lecturer, claims to have found this exotic mushroom in the Amazon Rainforest penis envy mushrooms.

While you may not be able to get your hands on it right away, you can easily find a spore from a reliable source. The mushrooms are genetically identical to each other, making it difficult to fake or sell.

The albino Penis Envy mushroom is the most potent strain, and is best left to a seasoned mushroom sensei. It contains high levels of psilocybin, the active ingredient in most shrooms.

When taken orally, it creates a psychedelic effect, causing people to experience an uplifting rush, bubbling effervescence, and heightened sensory perception. However, it should be noted that this mushroom can lead to hallucinations, which make driving dangerous.

In 1981, Terrence McKenna, an ethnobotanist who advocated for the legal use of psychedelic plants, discovered the Penis Envy mushroom while on a hiking trip in the Amazon Rainforest.

He brought back spore prints of the mushroom and shared his findings with colleagues in the U.S. He also gave one sample to a mycologist, Steven H. Pollock. This discovery helped in the refinement of the mushroom.

Melmac magic mushrooms were sold in expand kits until their business collapsed. This mushroom strain is probably named after the sci-fi sitcom ALF the Alien Life Kind. Penis Envy Uncut is considered the strongest mushroom strain among the other varieties.

The caps of Penis Envy Uncut are never fully closed and have a milky white color. They are smaller than normal Penis Envy mushrooms. But the Albino Penis Envy Uncut is the strongest and most popular strain of penis envy mushrooms.

If you’re interested in consuming this delicious and nutritious food, you may be wondering about the Mungus Mushrooms facts. First off, these mushrooms have extremely low calorific values. Most of their flesh is water. That means that one mushroom can cause poisoning to a human being.

However, you can learn how to spot these mushrooms by using the spore print. Besides, fungi are much closer to us than plants are. In fact, 80% of the earth’s surface is made up of mycelium.

• Mungus Mushrooms are a Vancouver-based dispensary that was one of the first to sell shrooms in Canada.
• Their success has spurred cultivation of psilocybin-rich products in Canada.
• The dispensary only sells natural, organic products, and sources their ingredients from the finest producers.
• If you’re interested in learning more about this unique product, keep reading!

Mungus mushrooms are a premium collection of mushrooms. Many people love them for their potent effects and intense experiences. Whether you’re looking for a delicious food to pair with a steak, you’ll be able to find it at Woking Farm.

Mungus mushrooms can also be used as a culinary ingredient. You can even cook them with meat to create a unique dish. They’re perfect with steak and any kind of meat.

Mungus has long been recognized as an exceptional food, and its reputation for being high in vitamin D is backed by scientific research. They contain extreme amounts of psilocybin, which can cause you to experience a psychedelic high.

The effects of this food can range from a positive mood change to improved concentration and memory. Mungus also alters the activity of neurotransmitters and improve compulsive behaviors.

Experts told what each of us needs to do in order not to get sick, and what measures the state takes for this

Last year, our country set a historical record: for the first time in the history of statistical observations, the average life expectancy in Russia was almost 73 years (72.7 years).

Russia faces the task of joining the “club of 80+ countries”. Of course, we are talking about healthy longevity - so that at a mature, “silver” age, a person maintains vigor, good health and can enjoy life, and not suffer from serious illnesses.

To achieve such goals, mutual efforts are needed: on the one hand, the state should take the necessary measures to improve the health of the population, on the other hand, active longevity is impossible without increasing the attention of people themselves to their own health, experts emphasize.

DIRECT SPEECH

Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Veronika Skvortsova:

By 2025, we need to increase the proportion of citizens committed to a healthy lifestyle to 60%. At the same time, it is necessary to reduce tobacco consumption among the adult population to 27%, alcohol per capita among the adult population to 10 liters per year.

WHAT IS “HEALTH” REALLY

For the first time in Russia, the  Ministry of Health  is creating a system of public health, that is, a system of motivation for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which means increasing the duration and improving the quality of life. An obligatory component of such a system is the motivation of each person, familiarization with the culture of a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, it is important that the approach to a healthy lifestyle is reasonable, without excessive fanaticism, does not carry with it painful restrictions that, instead of being useful, can further increase everyday stress. What does the “correct” healthy lifestyle look like?

“From a very large number of parameters, we identified five, on the basis of which we formed a “healthy lifestyle commitment index,”  Oksana Drapkina, director of the National Medical Research Center for Preventive Medicine, told reporters . According to her, the main components of a healthy lifestyle are:

1) Do not smoke.

2) Have vegetables and fruits in the diet - preferably more than 400 g per day.

3) Do not get carried away with salt - the daily norm is not more than 5 g, including salt in the composition of ready meals.

4) Do not abuse alcohol (risks of all-cause mortality are significantly increased with consumption of more than 30 ml of ethanol per day, and consumption of more than 60 ml of ethanol is considered dangerous abuse).

5) Be physically active, which requires at least 1 hour of walking per day or at least 30 minutes of intense exercise daily.

Compliance with these relatively simple rules is clearly associated with a decrease in mortality from all cardiovascular diseases, Oksana  Drapkina noted .

STAY IN TOUCH

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a healthy lifestyle as follows: it is the behavior and thinking of a person that ensures the protection and promotion of health; an individual system of habits, a system of life that allows you to maintain health at a safe level.

In a word, in order for a person to start leading a healthy lifestyle and embark on the path to active longevity, it is first of all necessary to be motivated, aware of the need and willingness to follow the very rules that will allow you to feel safe and solve all the necessary daily tasks.

WHO also highlights the four most common factors that  adversely affect human healthif he ignores a healthy lifestyle and his life is organized incorrectly:

- Psycho-emotional overload (that is, stress).

- Insufficient physical activity.

- Poor diet and associated overweight.

- Bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse, drug addiction.

LAWS TO HELP

Of course, human behavior is largely influenced by the external environment, including within the framework of the rules established by the state. Therefore, legislation plays an important role in motivation for a healthy lifestyle, experts explain. In this case, the “medical principle” can operate: during treatment, it is painful and unpleasant, but its goal is recovery. Similarly, some legislative measures to promote healthy lifestyles may not initially be fully approved by citizens, but the results confirm that the decision was the right one and brought tangible benefits.

In our country, a striking example of such a situation was the adoption of the   famous law “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption” developed by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation . Initially, there were protests against the restriction of smoking in public places and other norms (tobacco lobbyists played a significant role in fueling the “popular outrage”), and today Russia is one of the recognized world leaders in the fight against tobacco smoking: from 2009 to 2016, the prevalence of smoking in the Russian Federation decreased by 22%. It is no coincidence that it was Russia that was entrusted with chairing the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which was held in 2017 in  India .

“We are already receiving data that the incidence of non-communicable diseases associated specifically with tobacco consumption has begun to decrease, the number of teenagers who smoke has decreased, and the number of adults who smoke has decreased. All this is a consequence of the competent work of the ministry, government, the State Duma to promote the right laws, ”said Galina Sakharova, chief researcher at the Research Institute for Health Organization and Informatization, in an interview . Thanks to the ban on smoking in workplaces and catering facilities alone, 20 million non-smokers have been freed from passive smoking, which is also a serious health risk, she said.

REDUCE THE AVAILABILITY OF ALCOHOL

In addition to reducing the prevalence of smoking in Russia, alcohol consumption per capita has decreased by almost 40% since 2006, according to the Ministry of Health. Such results were achieved, among other things, thanks to the ban on the sale of alcohol at cultural and sports facilities, in educational and medical organizations.

In general, work to reduce the abuse of unsafe products (tobacco and alcohol) is carried out within the framework of the concept, calculated until 2020, the department explains. The document, among other measures, provides for a ban on the retail sale of alcohol from 23.00 to 08.00. The Ministry of Health also welcomes initiatives related to tightening control over the circulation of ethyl alcohol, increasing the excise rate on alcohol and limiting the availability of such drinks to the public.

NUMBERS AND FACTS

Systematic work carried out by the Ministry of Health together with other departments and regional authorities has made it possible over the past years to significantly reduce alcohol consumption per capita - by almost 40%; tobacco - in adults by 22%, and in adolescents by 2.5 times; while the number of people regularly engaged in physical education and sports increased to 34%.

WELCOME TO HEALTH CENTERS AND DISPANSERIATION!

Along with the legislation, the actual conditions for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as well as the necessary infrastructure, are certainly important. And in this direction, the Ministry of Health is also consistently taking serious measures, experts say.

So, now in Russia the creation of the main elements of the infrastructure of the regional system for the prevention of non-communicable diseases and the formation of a healthy lifestyle is being completed. General methodological support is provided by the National Medical Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Russian Ministry of Health.

Regional centers of medical prevention act as the core of the system in the regions, while health centers and departments (offices) of medical prevention based on polyclinics work directly with the population. According to the latest data, there are more than 750 health centers in our ).

In 2017, more than 4.5 million people visited such centers, including about 1.2 million visits by children. At the same time, the Ministry of Health plans to significantly expand the functionality of health centers at the next stage of creating the system.

A powerful way to prevent serious diseases and increase motivation for a healthy lifestyle has also become a universal free medical examination .

“Since 2013, we have resumed mass preventive health screenings at a modern level,” recalled Veronika Skvortsova in one of her speeches. “In 2017, 48.5 million people, both children and adults, underwent medical examinations.”