Beware of health misinformation!

-
Image
Remember the good old days when most of the time only confirmed and reliable health information used to reach you. Your source of this information was through academic journals, books, newspapers, brochures, booklets, pamphlets, or your doctor's and health organizations.  But the growing social media platforms has created hurdles in the reach of genuine information to the masses. Instead what reaches them is health misinformation through social media posts created by people who have no knowledge about health. These are quacks operating. And social media helps spread this misinformation like fire. This is dangerous. It is playing with the lives of people.  Read here: Politicians vs doctors: believe whom? Most of this information is false and not accurate. It can be misleading. Sadly, even governments assist in spread of this misinformation. Most politicians these days are illiterate and shameless who boast about past and have no vision for the present or the future. Moreover, s...
Post a Comment

Chocolate is transitioning from a guilty pleasure to a guilt-free indulgence! Know why?

-

 Chocolates have been a favorite of kids, young adults, and also some elderly people. But it was a commodity of a guilty pleasure. But newer studies have unveiled some great health benefits of chocolates. Besides, healthier formulations have hit the market and these together have helped chocolates to transition from a guilty pleasure to a guilt-free indulgence.

CHOCOLATES AND THE ASSOCIATED PLEASURE

The sight of chocolates excites many people. There will be very few people who do not relish it due to choice or allergy reasons. But almost all people want to have a bite of it on occasions such as festivals, happy events, and the like. It symbolizes great rejoicement and love! The combination of chocolates with milk is heavenly!!! Nicole Redini, category strategy manager of Dairy and Nutrition for Illinois-based Hoffman Estates says:

“Consumers perceive these products that contain chocolate/cocoa as both tasty and indulgent, but the impact of the increasing focus on consumer health poses a challenge to deliver permissible indulgence,”

Chocolate delight [Source: Chenab Gourmet]


The chocolate suppliers and makers continue to invest in the innovation of the basic chocolate and adding new flavors, healthier twists, and also, meet the standards of sustainable sourcing. There are chocolate-coated ice-creams, chocolate milk and shakes, and also other chocolate-coated frozen novelties.

MORE INNOVATIONS OF THE BASIC CHOCOLATES

We all know about the white, dark, and milk chocolates. But now chocolate manufacturers have added more innovations in these varieties. So we have Caramalized White and Barry Callebaut’s Ruby. Barry Callebaut is based in Chicago and makes ice-creams and chocolates. The latter variety is their speciality. The chocolate has a pink hue and a fruitier flavor. This has been a success and many people like it as a flaked chip or as a coating for frozen novelties. John Pimpo who is market segment manager of the firm states:

“It can also continue to be used as a coating for bon-bon type one-bite desserts or in/around ice cream sandwiches or simply as a decoration or drizzle,”

Ruby chocolate [Source: Forbes]

They are trying to pair them appropriately. John added:

“Ruby is naturally fruity, so it pairs well with berries but also with other fruits like citrus. Other pairings include nuts, spices, spirits and texture marriages with crunchy elements and seeds.”

Besides, some products that went out of favor a few years back are doing a comeback. This includes the whole chocolate milk made out of whole-fat milk. It is a highly indulgent product but people have started demanding and liking it again. Honey, pine nuts, and lavender are finding its way into these chocolate-based products thereby increasing the variety and tastes.

HEALTHIER CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS

Besides, spices such as cinnamon, cayenne, and turmeric are also entering the fray. These are considered wellness products and also include chili, ginger, and also tea. These are also becoming part of a healthy diet with the coming of forms that can fit the various types of diets such as ketogenic, low sugar, no sugar and the like. Thus they can suit any type of lifestyles of the people. Ultrafiltered milk or lactose-free milk is also been used in the making of these new innovative products. Also, chocolates suitable for allergy people and people are also asking for organic products that are free os pesticides, fertilizers, and artificial colors and flavors.

Chocolate cinnamon rolls [Source: The Happy Foodie]

Besides, studies have revealed that chocolates and cocoa have anti-oxidant properties and mood-improving properties. They also mask the taste of other healthy ingredients and the combination does wonders taste-wise and health-wise. The benefits can be enhanced with plant-based ingredients such as for protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and also creaminess. Non-alkalized dark chocolates are in demand too. Labels are displayed prominently and the real ingredients list is put up for transparency.

COCOA-SUSTAINABILITY FROM COCOA FARMERS TO ENVIRONMENT

People have become very conscious of the environment and the sustainability aspect of it. They want to know the stories behind the product and the brand’s efforts towards sustainability. Cocoa producers and manufacturers are paying attention to it and ready to share their tales with their consumers. Brands are now making ethical claims and every 1 in 3 brands is proud to talk about it with their consumers.

Cocoa farmers [Source: YPARD]

The companies are also talking about assistance to cocoa farmers, no child labor in their supply chain, and also positivity in terms of forests and carbon. All these have contributed to the overall acceptance of chocolates as a no-guilt indulgence!!!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Morton's toe: Everything you need to know about your longer second toe

-
Image
 Often, one notices that the second toe of some people is longer than the great toe. People say different things for it. Many of them say that it implies that the owner of such a longer second toe is a dominant, creative, energetic person in real life and very ambitious and peace and happiness-loving. But no one has tried to understand the reason, science, medicine and problems of having such a toe. It is called as Morton’s toe or Greek foot.  What is a Greek foot? Many people in the world have a longer second toe of the foot. Such feature may be on one side or in both the feet. It is called Morton’s toe or Greek foot. The other names for it are Morton’s foot or royal toe. But the reason is not the second toe is longer but the fact is that the first metatarsal below the great toe is shorter. Thus it is not due to the faulty phalanges but due to the difference in height of the metatarsals. Since the second metatarsal is relatively longer than the first metatarsal, the joint at ...
Read more

There can be no universal forgiveness! It never exists!

-
Image
Forgiveness or pardon means clearing off the feelings of resentment or revenge towards the offender. In most contexts it implies giving up any expectation of justice. People justify this act of forgiveness from a religious point of view and psychologists justify it as an act that would bring peace to the victim. But my experience tells me that both religion as well as psychologists are absolutely wrong in asking a victim to forgive the evil person. This act is bad from a society point of view and would lead to a rise in crimes and unhappiness. Let me explain in depth with examples. 1. I have a friend in the UK. She is originally from Nigeria. She has two siblings who are married with children and she herself is single and childless. In the year 2009, she had gone to her hometown. There her siblings tortured her physically and mentally and put her under house arrest. They did not want to give her any ancestral property and assets. She managed to free herself with the help of a friend an...
Read more

Covid-19 pandemic and exercise regimes recommended for different categories of people by WHO!

-
Image
 Covid-19 pandemic is still on and it is known that overweight and obesity is associated with risk of enhanced severity of the infection necessitating hospitalization. WHO has issued guidelines on exercise for adults between 18-64 years, children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and those with chronic illnesses.  Healthy adults and exercise during Covid-19 pandemic WHO has stated that 150-300 minutes of moderate and 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity should be done weekly by people in the age group of 18-64 years. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a news release said: "Being physically active is critical for health and well-being — it can help add years to life and life to years,"  Remain active in pandemic (Source: Facebook WHO) Also, read Walking and its benefits He added: "Every move counts, especially now as we manage the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must all move every day — safely and creatively." WHO states: Be active, s...
Read more