TAG | flavonoid
Flavonoid Foods
Cacao An Organic Food
There are two things I need in this world. Oxygen and chocolate. Okay, maybe not quite, but it is up there and I wouldn’t want to do without. I know something is up when the news informs me that research now says that chocolate is good for me. It’s always been my guilty pleasure, but now it’s a way for me to take care of my health? I’m delighted beyond words, as I picture myself indulging in the name of heart health. A stroll even through Wal-Mart is an eye opener, as the candy aisle has recently begun to sport about twenty different kinds of chocolate. So what is it about the derivation of cacao that has caused the news media and science to aide me in my quest for the consumption of the food of the gods?
Is cacao the same as cocoa? Well sort of. Generally cacao refers to the raw material from which we derive chocolate. When we, traditionally, speak of cocoa or chocolate, we refer to the end product of cacao. “'Cacao' is the closest word we have to the original Nahuatl, Aztec word, which probably has a history going back a thousand years or more,” according to Martin Christy, British chocolate lecturer. (Was I the only one who didn’t know there were things like chocolate lecturers?) The words, however, are more or less interchangeably used. Those in the field habitually use cacao to reference the botanical species, tree, the plant parts (pods, beans, etc) and cocoa the processed material from the cacao. There are, of course, some purists who refuse to use the word chocolate at all, blaming chocolate and cocoa on bad British pronunciations.
So why has this little bean made so much commotion in the news lately? Cacao is rich in antioxidants and high in flavonoids. The darker the chocolate, the more research has shown it to benefit the heart. In research done on heart patients, the sticky stuff (platelets) that sticks to the insides of your arteries, which is exacerbated by stress, was shown to be severely reduced within two hours after consuming dark chocolate (Flamer, Herman, et al, 2007). This same research indicated that even in healthier individuals who have other risk factors, smokers, for example, a reduction in factors we associate with coronary disease was seen. Only real cacao works. The control group in the study, haven been given cacao free chocolate showed no decreases in artery diameter and no reduction of platelets.
So, what are flavonoids and antioxidants and why do we need them? Flavonoids are a type of antioxidants, a “superfood” (http://www.healthyfoodrawdiet.com/cacao), if you will. However, according to Dr. Donald R. Buhler and Dr. Cristobal Miranda of the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at Oregon State University, “dietary intake [of flavonoids] is quite high compared to other dietary antioxidants like vitamins C and E.” Overall, we begin to rust from the day we are born; we oxidize and there is little we can do about it. Antioxidants keep that rust at bay, as it were. They are, in many respects, the eternal fountain of youth, giving our bodies the materials it needs to counteract the side effects of living and breathing and aging. And, given that I can’t think of a yummier antioxidant than cacao, I will be quite happy to continue a good, medicinal dosage!
 Now Foods Bio Flavonoids Capsules W/ascorbic Acid and Rutin, 250 Capsules List Price: Sale Price: $17.95 You save: $7.04 (28%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionOur Citrus Bioflavonoid Caps contain 40% total bioflavonoids. There are many varieties of bioflavonoids available and ours includes a number of flavonols, flavones, and flavanones including: Hesperidin, Eriocitrin, Naringen, Naringenin, and Quercitin Citrus bioflavonoids are a natural complement to vitamin C and are contained largely in the peels of grapefruits, lemons, and oranges. Features
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 Now Foods Bio Flavonoids caps w/Ascorbic Acid & Rutin, 250 caps (Pack of 2) List Price: Sale Price: $27.48 You save: $16.50 (38%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNow Foods Bio Flavonoids caps w/Ascorbic Acid & Rutin, 250 caps (Pack of 2) Features
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 Bluebonnet - Trimology Licorice Flavonoid Oil Vegetarian Softgels Gluten-Free - 90 SG List Price: Sale Price: $32.49 You save: $7.46 (19%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBluebonnet Trimology Licorice Flavonoid Oil Vegetarian Softgels provide licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) standardized for polyphenols (30%) with glabridin (3%) for optimal lipid metabolism for healthy body fat composition in easy-to-swallow vegetarian softgels for maximum assimilation and absorption. * Bluebonnet TrimologyTM Licorice Flavonoid Oil Vegetarian Softgels is one of the industrys first nutrigenomic products on the market, which positively affects weight management by optimizing lipid metabolism with proper diet and exercise. Nutrigenomics, also called "nutritional genetics," a phrase coined in 1999, is the study of the molecular relationship between nutrients and gene expression and how genetic variations can cause people to respond differently to food nutrients. Scientists discovered that licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) standardized for polyphenols (30%) with glabridin (3%), influences the expression of the genes that increase fatty acid break down and decrease fatty acid synthesis, thus helping to maintain healthy body fat composition. * In an era when ancient Egypt ruled, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) was among the first botanicals that were reverently used for the production of medicinally valued tinctures, teas and salves. Its use spread and was detailed in Chinese, Greek, Indian and Roman history. Historically, licorice has used in many Chinese herbal preparations as a guide to enhance the activity of other ingredients, reduce toxicity, and improve flavor. * Features
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 Yerba Mate 500 mg 100 Capsules List Price: Sale Price: $12.10 You save: $3.89 (24%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionYerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an herb that is traditionally prepared as an energizing tea and consumed by natives of South American countries. Yerba Mate contains high concentrations of antioxidant flavonoids possessing potent free radical quenching activity. In addition, Yerba Mate is a source of several nutrients, including several B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-Carotene and Calcium. Features
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 Nature's Way - Mangosteen Standardized - 60 VegiCaps Sale Price: $19.95 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNature's Way - Mangosteen Standardized - 60 VegiCaps Features
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 Rice Protein Spectrum Shake - Vegetarian Original Vanilla Flavor - 1 lb 4oz - Powder List Price: Sale Price: $17.95 You save: $2.00 (10%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNutriBiotic Vegan Rice Protein Spectrum Shake is a complete nutritional supplement. Whole grain, sprouted brown rice protein is combined with spirulina-bound nutrients, energy producing medium chain triglycerides (MCT), enzymes, and natural vanilla flavor, creating easily digestible, highly assimilable, broad spectrum nourishment for both children and adults. Ideal for individuals who suffer from food allergies and digestive difficulties. NutriBiotic Vegan Rice Protein is produced by means of a unique enzyme process. A proprietary blend of organic plant enzymes are used to separate the fiber and carbohydrates from the protein portion of the whole grain brown rice. Low temperatures used during processing prevent denaturing of the amino acids. NO CHEMICALS are used at any time. Due to this enzyme process, color, taste, and texture may vary. Each serving of Rice Protein Spectrum Shake provides over 120 readily assimilated nutrients in an easy to mix powder. The vitamin and mineral structures have been fully reacted with 100% pure Kosher Certified spirulina to possess all the properties found in concentrated whole foods including proteins, lipids, glycoproteins, lipoproteins, nucleoproteins, complex carbohydrates, phytopigments, flavonoids, fatty acids, enzymes, co-enzymes, and fiber. Rice Protein Spectrum Shake is free of common food allergens such as soy, milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, or preservatives. GLUTEN FREE · GMO FREE · PESTICIDE, HERBICIDE & PCB FREE As a protein supplement, mix one scoop into a glass of water or rice milk, or add to any meal. Use one to three times daily as a protein supplement or as directed by a he Features
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