Chocolate!

Biology Blog Post
Kong Eng Hong (14)
3 Service
27th March 2007

Chocolate is, to many, one of the most heavenly treats known to man. The reputation of Chocolate has been negative in the past, with decayed teeth and failed diets blamed on Chocolate. However, upon recent research, the many negative myths and beliefs about Chocolate have been dispelled, with the many health benefits of Chocolate being gradually uncovered, much to the delight of the any Chocolate lovers out there.

The Benefits of Chocolate:
* Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. Of course, this is counteracted by the high sugar content of milk chocolate. So, it can be seen that Chocolate is not all to blame for decayed teeth!
* The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.
* Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.
* Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don't.
* The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.
* Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.
* Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites.
* The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

What Chocolate Won't Do:
There are many myths and half-truths about the effects of chocolate on the human body. Here are the latest findings on several of them.
* Studies show that chocolate is not a causative factor in acne.
* Chocolate is not addictive.
* Chocolate contains stearic acid, a neutral fat which doesn't raise bad cholesterol.

But On The Negative Side...
1. Chocolate may trigger headaches in migraine sufferers.
2. Milk chocolate is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar.

Therefore, it can be sent that Chocolate is not all that bad, but not entirely wondrous either. Like any other foods, Chocolate is to be eaten in moderation.
Information taken from http://www.momscape.com/articles/chocolate.htm

Post: Dieting and its Effects

Biology Blog Post
Kong Eng Hong (14)
3 Service
27th March 2007

Nowadays, bombarded with the media’s negative messages and bad celebrity influences, people around the world, self conscious teenagers in particular, are pressurized to diet and lose weight rapidly by using extreme methods which often do not work and have severe consequences. Many weight obsessed teenagers often resort to unhealthy dieting methods instead of losing weight safely. They were most likely to skip meals, use diet pills or laxatives, smoke, binge and vomit to lose weight. What these teenagers do not take into consideration are the many harmful effects of dieting on their bodies.

Many teenagers nowadays suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, in which these eating disorders are not only physical but psychological. Anorexia is an eating disorder where people usually starve themselves in a desperate attempt to lose weight; and Anorexia sufferers are often plagued with the illusion that they are very overweight and have an intense fear of becoming fat, despite the fact that most people suffering from anorexia are underweight or unhealthily thin. Bulimia is another psychological eating disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control (purging). Inappropriate methods of weight control include vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, or compulsive exercising. These two eating disorders are highly rampant among teenagers today, where becoming thin is a huge priority to gain acceptance among one’s peers.

However, the harmful effects of these extreme ways of dieting are less known than the diets itself. Extreme dieting interferes with one’s metabolism and fools one’s body into thinking that it is going through a starvation cycle. If extreme dieting is continued, the body will learn to compensate for these starvation waves by evening the body metabolism out, and one would gain a lot more weight suddenly during the non-diet phase and lose less during the diet phase, in which this is a natural body reaction. The only sensible way to lose weight is to have a balanced, healthy diet; in which this is something most teenagers do not, unfortunately, realize.

Studies suggest a specially formulated type of cocoa may boost brain function and delay decline as people age. As Chocolate is also a calorie-rich food with a high fat content, daily intake of chocolate also requires reducing caloric intake of other foods. So, do you think a controlled "Chocolate diet" will be beneficial?

Rachel Scowcroft was three when tests revealed she had autistic spectrum disorder. Things may improve when she's 16. In the meantime, all she can eat is chocolate. Rachel's health is very good and she is monitored by an expert paediatrician, but it clearly is a very big worry. So, will this eventually lead to a "Death by Chocolate"?

Finally, this blog is Upp!! Thanks everyone and of course our dear Shanice:) So, let start posting<3