Stupid Study Regarding Chocolate Milk and Reduced Inflammation
Here is a study just reported in “The New York Times:”
Nutrition: Chocolate Milk May Reduce Inflammation
By RONI CARYN RABIN
Published: November 9, 2009
Move over, red wine. Make room for chocolate milk. A new study suggests that regular consumption of skim milk with flavonoid-rich cocoa may reduce inflammation, potentially slowing or preventing development of atherosclerosis. Researchers noted, however, that the effect was not as pronounced as that seen with red wine
Scientists in Barcelona, Spain, recruited 47 volunteers ages 55 and older who were at risk for heart disease. Half were given 20-gram sachets of soluble cocoa powder to drink with skim milk twice a day, while the rest drank plain skim milk. After one month, the groups were switched.
Blood tests found that after participants drank chocolate milk twice a day for four weeks, they had significantly lower levels of several inflammatory biomarkers, though some markers of cellular inflammation remained unchanged.
Participants also had significantly higher levels of good HDL cholesterol after completing the chocolate milk regimen, according to the study, which appears in the November issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and is already online.
“Since atherosclerosis is a low-grade inflammatory disease of the arteries, regular cocoa intake seems to prevent or reduce” it, said Dr. Ramón Estruch of the University of Barcelona, the paper’s senior author, adding that more studies were needed.
Back to me – I say this is stupid because just eating whole wheat carbs and more fruits and vegetables can reduce inflammation. So can folic acid.
To tell our OBESE population to start drinking chocolate milk is insane since all the research points to the fact that liquid calories don’t make us feel full.
Jim
This sounds like a bunch of bull! What about all the extra stuff that is in chocolate milk (SUGAR!!! and artificial thickeners). Read the label sometime! I like your idea from the 7 Day Energy Surge about drinking a little milk AFTER a workout. And once in a while, I don’t see a problem with having a small piece of dark chocolate to satisfy my “need” for sweet. But I am shocked at all the people who write articles anymore and claim to be experts and all they seem to be doing is just making people fatter!!! Thanks for all that you do Jim to educate us in a positive/right way!
Comment by Elizabeth — November 15, 2009 at 9:09 am
You are so right. This is just what most people interpret as “I can eat all the chocolate I want.” That’s not going to solve this crisis that we are in.
Elizabeth, I figure that if I just keep trying to put out the “wise” word, more and more people will start learning about the right way to eat and exercise.
Thanks for the support.
Jim
Comment by Jim Karas — November 15, 2009 at 9:26 am
I’m a varsity girls’ basketball coach and just received a pamphlet in my mailbox today about the benefits of CHOCOLATE milk for athletes!!! It reminded me of your post here! The pamphlet was put out by the Midwest Dairy Association. Here is what it stated:
“When people think sports drink, hardly anyone thinks chocolate milk. But recent studies are revealing some very surprising benefits…. When consumed as a post-endurance exercise beverage, MILK (doesn’t say Chocolate) appears to be as effective, if not more so, than many commercial rehydration beverages.” It goes on to talk about the benefits of drinking MILK (again doesn’t say Chocolate). Then states “Chocolate milk contains both carbohydrates and protein that are important for an athlete’s sports nutrition plan… Chocolate milk provides important nutrients.”
While I agree that milk is so much better for my athletes post-workout than sport drinks, I still don’t like the wording in the pamphlet. Now why couldn’t they have put out the pamphlet just talking about MILK? The chocolate adds the high fructose corn syrup and artificial thickeners to it!!!!! More skewed information!!!!
Comment by Elizabeth — November 16, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I so agree and read all the research that they are talking about. Remember, this was in comparison to SOY milk.
Good Morning America had this on today and was showing the additional sugar in chocolate milk which was astonishing!
Comment by Jim Karas — November 16, 2009 at 5:39 pm