Korean Job Discussion Forums

[igotthisguitar]

#1
Secret to Chocolate's Heart Benefits Found
LiveScience Staff

LiveScience.com
Thu Jan 19, 2:00 PM ET
A new study reveals the chemical in chocolate that produces known heart-healthy benefits.

The research found that epicatechin, one of a group of chemicals known as flavanols, is directly linked to improved circulation and other hallmarks of cardiovascular health.

The discovery was detailed in the Jan. 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Although previous studies strongly indicated that some flavanol-rich foods, such as wine, tea and cocoa can offer cardiovascular health benefits, we have been able to demonstrate a direct relationship between the intake of certain flavanols present in cocoa, their absorption into the circulation and their effects on cardiovascular function in humans," said biochemist Hagen Schroeter of the University of California, Davis.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20060119/sc_space/secrettochocolatesheartbenefitsfound;_ylt=Alx0ghkpEKR0RZGbJrhATicDW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

#2
Chocolate and Slavery: Child Labor in Cote d'Ivoire

There is a surprising association between chocolate and child labor in the Cote d'Ivoire. Young boys whose ages range from 12 to 16 have been sold into slave labor and are forced to work in cocoa farms in order to harvest the beans, from which chocolate is made, under inhumane conditions and extreme abuse.

This West African country is the leading exporter of cocoa beans to the world market. Thus, the existence of slave labor is relevant to the entire international economic community. Through trade relations, many actors are inevitably implicated in this problem, whether it is the Ivorian government, the farmers, the American or European chocolate manufacturers, or consumers who unknowingly buy chocolate.

Discussions have arisen regarding how to respond to the problem. Issues mentioned include causes of slave labor relating to the economic system and to the country's dependence on an unstable export crop. There are also debates concerning the appropriate response from the chocolate industry, government officials, and consumers concerning whether there should be boycotting, establishment of government legislation to put "made by slaves" labels on products, or whether some type of international cooperation is needed to ensure improved working conditions.

The complexity of the problem makes finding an effective solution a challenging task.

http://www.american.edu/TED/chocolate-slave.htm

#3 ( This sample list of chocolate taxation & criminalization is i believe by no means comprehensive )
When Chocolate Was Illegal

There are some references to a ban on chocolate drinks:

Chocolate was banned by the Jesuits in the River Plate area in 1677, together with similar substances, indicating that it must have been a temptation to some.

Source: W.G. Clarence-Smith, Cocoa and chocolate, 1765-1914. Routledge, 2000 p12


In England in 1770 the use of cocoa bean shells to make a sort of tea was illegalised and officers were allowed to seize and destroy the husks.

Source: Chocolate production and use. Cook/Meursing (1982), p131


In 1673 an MP in England requested the prohibition of Spanish chocolate, brandy, rum, tea and coffee
as sales of home grown beer and ale were suffering.

The request was refused, but it sowed the seed for taxation on cocoa etc in 18th C.

Source: Chocolate production and use. Cook/Meursing (1982), p125

23 October 2000

[VanIslander]

My 75-year-old father has spent a lifetime eating chocolate as a snack, drinking homemade wine and black coffee, and consuming a lot of duck lard as the base on many homecooked dishes, and has repeatedly claimed "hogwash" for over half a century to all the generations of health nuts who've tried to tell him these things are not good for him.

Now studies are showing the health benefits of all these things.

"Eat what you like," is the healthy old guy's motto.

I guess it's like Twain said: "Eat whatever you want and let it fight itself out inside." (or something like that)