Never Take Candy From A Stranger

While growing up, children are often taught simple lessons by their parents about what is deemed both good and bad for them. Mothers seem to always be forcing unappetizing brussel sprouts, broccoli, and other vegetables down the throats of their children while scolding them from over-indulging on the notorious confections (primarily cookies and candy) that may cause tummy aches or an eventual visit to the tooth doctor. Well, here’s a newsflash for all those stringent parents out there: certain candies may have beneficial health aspects related with them. In our recent class discussions, we noted that licorice has had a surprising medicinal value to it in the past. By acting on an enzyme that denatures prostaglandins, licorice extends the life of prostaglandins, which in turn helps protect the stomach lining from ulcers and can also help suppress coughs by releasing mucous.

Similarly, the manner in which marshmallows were previously manufactured allowed them to be used as medicinal cough suppressants. Marshmallows are composed of sugar, corn syrup, beaten egg whites, water, and other flavorings that are mixed thoroughly to form a spongy structure. Yet, in the past the marshmallows also contained a mucilage extract from the root of the marshmallow plant that attributed to its medicinal value; this portion has now been replaced by gelatin. The mucilage extract previously contained in marshmallows helped support white blood cells to fight off microorganisms, and it also had an anti-inflammatory effect that could be made into a gel (if mixed with water) to reduce inflammation of external wounds.

Additionally, another confection that has aroused recent scientific research and interest is dark chocolate. In a number of studies, dark chocolate has been proven to have positive effects against heart disease and may even help lower blood pressure (although this has not been conclusively proven). In a study performed by scientists at John Hopkins University, dark chocolate was proven to contribute to the positive blood thinning effects that are important in averting excessive blood clotting by platelets (the current preventive treatment for this is aspirin). Dark chocolate also contains a high content of flavanols (a compound known for its antioxidant effects) because it is made from cocoa beans. One study done by a Harvard Medical School professor on the Cuna Indians of Panama (who have a high intake of flavonoid-rich cocoa) claimed that “they have a 10 percent lower risk of dying of heart attacks and a 20 percent lower risk of dying of cancer than average Panamanians” (see links below). The flavonoid content of dark chocolate is said to exceed that of green tea, red wine, and blueberries.

The idea that commonly negatively-associated confections may have positive health benefits to them has sparked a new industry in the candy-making business. Mars Inc. recently introduced a new line of products called CocoaVia, which boasts the antioxidant effects of its new vitamin-enriched dark chocolate. So, maybe it isn’t such a bad idea to take certain candies from a stranger after all.

http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/2123/63

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