Is Chocolate Good for You Essay Example for Free

Is Chocolate Good for You Essay [pic]A little of what you fancy does you good especially if it’s chocolate. Instead of feeling guilty for indulging, you can now feel virtuous, as chocolate is officially beneficial for health. And that’s just as well, as we Brits consume over 80 million chocolate eggs each Easter which works out at a staggering 9kg per person. Chocolate dates back to the time of the Aztecs when cocoa beans were so prized that they were used as currency during the reign of Montezuma. The Aztecs consumed chocolate in the form of a sweetened drink, which was believed to increase wisdom, boost energy levels and have a powerful aphrodisiac action. Modern forms of chocolate combine cocoa paste with cocoa butter, sugar and cream or milk, with a variety of additional flavourings such as vanilla, nuts and liqueurs that may improve the flavour, but may reduce its health value. We take a look at some of the pros and cons of eating chocolate this Easter The Pros: Antioxidant protection The reason chocolate gets the ‘thumbs up’ from researchers is because it contains large quantities of antioxidants chemicals that help to neutralise some of the harmful chemical reactions occurring as part of our metabolism and during exposure to pollutants. In essence, antioxidants stop us going rusty inside. Scientists have found that just 40g of chocolate contains more than 300mg of polyphenols the same type of antioxidants that give red wine its heart-protecting reputation. And if you like your chocolate dark, you will obtain twice as many polyphenols, similar amounts, in fact, as are found in a cup of green tea. What’s more, the polyphenols present in chocolate are of the super-protective variety known as procyanidin flavonoids. While some of these flavonoids contain just one unit and are classed as monomers, the most protective are those containing two, three or more units, known as oligomers. Yes, you’ve guessed it, chocolate is especially rich in the larger oligomers that can prevent harmful LDL-cholesterol from becoming oxidised and taken up into artery walls. Research recently published in the British Medical Journal suggested that a daily meal of seven ingredients, which included 100g dark chocolate (along with fish, fruit, vegetables, almonds, garlic and 150ml wine) could cut the risk of coronary heart disease by a massive 76%. The scientists predicted this could increase average life expectancy by six and a half years for men and five years for women. Surprisingly, olive oil was not included, as the researchers felt there was not enough solid evidence to support it as a single ingredient rather than as part of the Mediterranean diet. In contrast, they found clear evidence that eating 100g dark chocolate per day could reduce blood pressure by an average of 5.1/1.8mmHg, which is enough to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 21%. The feel-good factor Eating chocolate makes you feel good. It increases brain levels of several chemicals, including mood-altering PEA (phenylethylamine, related to amphetamine), which produces a mild, confidence-instilling buzz. Chocolate also contains tryptophan a chemical converted to serotonin in the brain to lift mood and increase euphoria and theobromine, a stimulant that peps you up. Chocolate is also virtually unique in that it melts in the mouth at body temperature, producing a silky, luscious sensation that adds to its appeal and, according to psychologists, is one of the main reasons why chocolate proves so addictive. Contains small amounts of caffeine The amount of caffeine contained in chocolate is around 10 times less than that in the average serving of coffee, tea or cola drinks. In fact, low intakes of caffeine can be beneficial, as they improve fat metabolism, exercise endurance, increase alertness and decrease the perception of effort and fatigue. The Cons: Expense Eating chocolate every day will undoubtedly increase your shopping bill. The BMJ researchers estimated it would cost ?3 per week, but that spending more for a premium brand of dark chocolate might be rewarded by improved quality of life. Calories Sadly, chocolate packs a lot of calories. Just 100g contains: Milk chocolate 520 kcals, dark chocolate 510 kcals and white chocolate 529 kcals. It does provide useful amounts of micronutrients, however. For example, 100g dark chocolate contains: 33mg calcium (compared with 220mg for milk chocolate), 89mg magnesium, 2.3mg iron, 0.7mg copper, 4mcg selenium and 1.4mgvitamin E. Glucose swings Sweetened chocolate contains lots of sugar, producing glucose swings which, as well as encouraging you to eat more, are increasingly linked with the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is another reason why dark chocolate, which contains the least sugar, is better for you than milk and white chocolate. Low carbohydrate chocolate containing sweeteners such as maltitol, which do not affect blood glucose levels, are also becoming more widely available. Mood swings Chocolate that contains a lot of sugar can also cause swings in levels of endorphins brain chemicals that affect mood. This can, in turn, produce mood swings as well as carbohydrate cravings, one reason why women with pre-menstrual syndrome often crave chocolate before a period, when their endorphin levels are low. Unfortunately, as with addictive drugs, brain receptors eventually become desensitised to the mood-lifting effect of chocolate, so you tend to need more and more to get the same endorphin-raising effects. Acne The myth that chocolate can cause acne is not supported by the evidence, which suggests the culprit is hormonal fluctuations rather than dietary components. Tooth decay The fermentable sugar present in chocolate has the potential to trigger tooth decay. However, the antioxidants in chocolate may help to offset the acid-producing potential to a certain extent, while the calcium, phosphate and other minerals present especially in milk chocolate may also reduce the harmful effects on teeth. Including chocolate in your diet All in all, it seems that, as part of a balanced diet, we might all benefit from eating 100g chocolate per day but make sure it is dark and expensive! †¢ Eat it after a meal when you are full and less likely to over-indulge. †¢ Eating chocolate after a meal means you can clean teeth and floss soon afterwards perhaps with a chocolate flavoured toothpaste to prolong the pleasure! †¢ Buy small-sized bars, not family-sized slabs. †¢ Eat with fresh fruit the renewed craze for chocolate fondues makes this simplicity itself. †¢ Let chocolate rest in your mouth for long enough to melt and coat your taste buds and the roof of your mouth to experience the full range of flavours and textures. †¢ Learn to savour the lingering memory of each bite before immediately devouring the next.

Nano Computing and The Future of Silicon Essay -- optical computing, d

We are coming to the end of advancement in traditional silicon-based computation; therefore we should utilize non-traditional silicon. While there are other alternatives, currently none of them are commercially available or developed in any realistically usable way like silicon is. Currently we have been able to successfully prototype a variety of methods for non-traditional silicon based technologies such as 3D chip stacking and multi-core processor design. This paper will discuss the benefits of utilizing non-traditional silicon and how the other â€Å"solutions† to the end of traditional silicon are not developed to the point of being a real solution. The other â€Å"solutions† are DNA computing, Optical computing, Molecular computing, and Quantum computing. There are limitations with these â€Å"solutions† even before being commercially available. For instance, current development of DNA computation is not going to solve our problem, because it is so expensive and you have to pay someone to program the DNA so it can grow into what it needs to be. Optical computing won’t solve the issue because it has some major disadvantages such as: cost, size, alignment precision, thermal stability, fabrication, lack of design software for creation, and the need for ultra low voltages (Optical Computers). Additionally Mark Ratner, a chemist at Northwestern University, who is generally regarded as one of the grandfathers of the field, doubts molecules will ever compete directly with silicon in complex computational tasks making molecular computation not needed (Rotman). Quantum computing will not solve the current issue because no one knows yet how long a true Quantum computer will take to develop or how many functions it will accurately perform early o... ...ense Tech RSS. Military.com, 17 Mar. 2014. . â€Å"the contractor purchased a † "Optical Computers." UNCW. University of North Carolina Wilmington, n.d. . â€Å"an optical computer is a † Preskill, John. "Quantum Computing: Pro and Con."Http://www.theory.caltech.edu/. California Institute of Technology, n.d. 1998. . â€Å" Quantum computers will be too expensive.† Ramanathan, R. M. "Intel Multi-Core Processors." Pogolinux. Intel, n.d. . Seffers, George I. "National Security Drives Quantum Computer Research." SIGNAL Magazine. SIGNAL Online, Oct. 2010. . â€Å"No one knows yet what a working quantum †

Pride and Prejudice Narrative Techniques Essay

The passage focuses on the conversation between Elizabeth and Jane days after they received news about the departure of the Bingleys and Darcy. In this essay, I will explore the themes, the narrative techniques used and the tone of the involved characters. Austen’s dramatic form of writing is an attractive feature of Pride and Prejudice. The novel is ‘dialogic’ in nature; the dialogue between Jane and Elizabeth is a representation of their personalities and characters and Austen has purposefully juxtaposed Elizabeth opposite Jane to show the stark contrasts in their personalities, as well as their views and beliefs. Jane is protrayed as the good-natured and forgiving sister; despite being upset that Bingley had left her, she does not blame him but praises him as the ‘most amiable man’ and blames herself instead for her ‘error of fancy’. She thinks the best of others, Bingley in this case, that he is not ‘guarded and circumspect’ despite his wealth. Her love for Bingley is genuine as she sees the virtues in him but she accepts the fact that he may not love her, ‘I have nothing†¦nothing to reproach him with’. The themes of love and class are raised here, as Jane’s words indicate her resignation and acceptance that her love for a man in an upper class is not reciprocated. This reflects how class boundaries and prejudices limit love and happiness during that time. This also indirectly reflects the social standing of women; they are expected to behave in a certain manner that does not undermine their reputation, as doing so otherwise would result in a poor reputation and possible ostracism, ‘I will not repine. It cannot last long†¦we shall all be as we were before. ’ She defends her friend, Charlotte, as having true feelings for Mr. Collins, despite his ‘conceited’ and ‘pompous’ character; an indication of her maybe naive view that true love is simple and has nothing to do with practicality and materialism, ‘it is a most eligible match†¦she may feel something†¦for our cousin’. But what she does not admit openly, due to suspicions that Bingley may have left her due to her social inferiority, is that such ‘practical’ love does exist. Both sisters are aware of this, which is why both are reluctant to bring up Bingley’s name during the dialogue, ‘I have met with two instances lately; one I will not mention†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Focalisation, a narrative technique is employed by Austen here, as the narrative voice deliberately omitted Bingley’s name and referred to him as ‘Netherfield and its master’. Although the opening paragraph is narrated from an omniscient third-person view, Elizabeth is the focaliser; this evokes reader empathy towards the sensitivity of Bingley’s departure. Elizabeth, however, is angry with both Bingley and Charlotte. She disagrees with Jane that Charlotte has feelings for Mr. Collins as she feels that no one with ‘a proper way of thinking’ would marry such a man. She thinks that it is a betrayal to ‘principle and integrity’ that Jane suggested the possibility of true feelings from Charlotte to Mr. Collins and that Charlotte had betrayed love itself as her act of marrying Mr. Collins is not the ‘proper way of thinking’. Elizabeth feels that Charlotte married Mr. Collins for reasons other than love, maybe selfishly for status and wealth, ‘You shall not defend her†¦that selfishness is prudence†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Deep in her heart, Elizabeth wishes to believe in Jane’s idealistic views on true love, ‘To oblige you, I would try to believe almost any thing†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢; but reality has shown her that conventional love is influenced and restricted by class boundaries and practicality. This reflects how marriage was the vehicle of self-improvement and wealth acquisition for women during Elizabeth’s day (and thus Austen’s). Elizabeth views human behaviour as ‘inconsistent’ to their actual feelings and that appearance is not a good indicator of ‘merit or sense’. It also serves as an irony of her own behaviour towards Darcy, as ‘inconsistent’ to her eventual feelings for him. Elizabeth’s views of love remains ‘prejudiced’ at this stage, a structured irony staged by Austen to serve as a milestone to chart Elizabeth’s maturity later in the novel. However, Elizabeth’s burst of ‘outrage’, ‘It is unaccountable! In every view it is unaccountable! ’, can also be read as displaced anxiety and anger as she is very uncertain of her own ability to escape a similar fate of being ‘dumped’ like Jane due to possible social inferiority or having to marry for practical considerations like Charlotte. This is not openly mentioned by Elizabeth in the passage but when she subtly mentioned that, ‘And men take care that they should’, it could be interpreted that she wished to meet a man who would admire her for the correct reasons. Jane’s words, ‘It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us’ foreshadows the maturity in Elizabeth; she is at the moment ‘prejudiced’ against Darcy when she had a poor first impression of him and thus unable to recognize his virtues. Later in the novel, Elizabeth would slowly let go of her ‘vanity’ – her misplaced ‘pride’ and ‘prejudice’ to realise a tender and mutual love between herself and Darcy. In conclusion, Austen’s ‘dialogic’ prose gives personalities to both Jane and Elizabeth, revealing the conscious and unconscious natures of the sisters, as well as their ‘hidden impulses and repressed longings. ’ (Walder, 1995, p54) (884 words) References Austen, J. Pride and Prejudice. ed. by J. Kinsley, Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. D. Walder, eds. The Realist Novel. London: Routledge in association with the Open University, 1995.

Marriage in Women in Love Essay - 523 Words

Marriage in Women in Love How far would you agree that â€Å"Women in Love† should be read as a debate on the possibilities and limitations of marriage? As one progresses through the book â€Å"Women in Love† we encounter various instances where marriage is referred to. We realise, as we read, that Lawrence uses the book to comment on various topics and his opinions on them and marriage, being a very major topic involving male-female relationships, of which this book is prominently about, is mentioned also. We see different people’s reactions to and opinions on marriage and it seems probable that, like with other subjects such as industrialisation, they are those of Lawrence himself. However the conclusions seemingly drawn from†¦show more content†¦The girls discuss whether or not getting married is a way of improving one’s lot in life and Gudrun, introducing her characters physically minded personality and desire for satisfaction of body rather than mind, feels that people need to have the experience of being married. The mentally driven Ursula, who it turns out has already been asked for her hand in ma rriage several time and has refused, is not so quick to jump to a conclusion as to whether a person’s position is improved by just being married. As the book goes on, in my opinion, the reader is drawn to Ursula more as being the more sensible of the sister as she is controlled by her head and not The topic of marriage also comes up, unsurprisingly, at the wedding reception as it is discussed by the men after the meal. The race between the groom and the bride seems to be ultimately of more importance to them as the conversation keeps on referring back to â€Å"who won the race†. This demeans the significance of the event they have just been witnessed and instead concentrates on a stupid and insignificant competition between the bride and groom as to who gets into the church first.Show MoreRelatedWomen s Issues, Love, Marriage, And Family976 Words   |  4 Pagesnumber of problems that relate to women s issues, love, marriage, and family. Chinese women’s opinio ns about love and marriage were in conflict with the social system, moral norms, traditional ideas, and customary forces by Ancient times (Song Dynasty). Sometimes these conflicts could lead to tragedy and a miserable life. In real-life today, such conflicts continue to be common, thus causing widespread concern and attention in society. In feudal society, women were subject to restrictions, repressionRead MoreWhy Do People Get Married? 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