Facts About Expensive “Health” Chocolates, Lead in Chocolate and Other Confusing Things
We are seeing a near hysterical rise in chocolate health claims, both good and bad, followed by some major marketing campaign encouraging people to buy very expensive health chocolate. The latter use terms such as organic, cold-pressed, free-trade and (the clincher) lead-free.
I mean, who wouldn’t want lead-free chocolate? Would we deny our body the same health consideration we give our Toyota’s gas tank? Worse, would we knowingly feed lead to our kids?
Obviously, this fear is so great that company’s can sell cocoa “superfoods” under names such as Xocai and Chava Vital Chocolate. The ad I clicked for Xocai promises “Healthy Chocolate Eat Dark Chocolate Enjoy health benefits Earn money while doing it.” Notice the lack of punctuation. That’s so they can jam more words in and still be under the maximum character count allowed by many ad companies. Notice also how they sell “earn money.” That’s a good indicator that it’s not about the chocolate..or even about the health. They appeal to 3 things fear of death, hunger for sweets, and desire for money. Everything’s there but sex, but the word count restrictions probably forced them to leave that off.
Apparently though, Xocai has been making some people money, as this multi-level marketing racket is still around, and now even has competition, from Chava Vital Chocolate. Chava’s health chocolate is also another multi-level marketing company, but they are very slick. Their ads are almost good enough to make be dig into my pocket and pay $145 for a box of chocolate wafers that looks very much like one I can get at my local supermarket $5.
They, too, say they can make me rich, if I just send in $29.95 for a marketing kit. (I didn’t look at the upsells, but $29 probably just gets your foot in the door.) Heck, 12000 people a month visit this website…they’ve got me thinking.
Ah, forget it, I’M too old to go for this crap. Let’s look at the facts:
- These outrageously priced health chocolates are probably pretty good quality. I guess this because for a fraction of the price they’re charging, it’s possible to sell the finest chocolates available. At $145, you’d think they would cover their bases in this regard.
- They have wisely guessed that many consumers will just search for lower priced super fine chocolates on the net, at places like this guide to organic chocolates. But, Xocai and Chava are prepared. Xocai chocolate includes acai berry extracts, and Chava chocolate includes a mysterious almond extract. I know little about either, except that you can obtain them separately elsewhere for much less expense. Let’s stick to the chocolates.
- Cocoa does in fact have many benefits. Besides being one of the world’s richest sources of dietary magnesium, it is loaded with flavinols and anti-oxidents. It goes on..a Cornell University study showed that cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea. Cocoa is a good source of calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium, manganese and some of the B Vitamins. It has a high content of sulfur, which helps build strong nails and hair, as well as healthy and beautiful skin, helps to detoxify the liver, and supports the healthy functioning of the pancreas. The heart-healthy flavanols found in cocoa, especially the epicatechins, stop fatty substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries. They also help prevent blood platelets from sticking together to cause blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes – all without the negative side effects associated with the use of aspirin and other pharmaceutical blood-thinners. Cocoa also contains the amino acid Tryptophan which makes serotonin and prevents feelings of depression. Cocoa contains dopamine, phenylethylamine (PEA), anandamide MAO Inhibitors – good for both the brain and the heart Phenylethylamine (PEA) increases mental alertness and the ability to concentrate, and can be of help to students taking tests, as well as to senior citizens who want to retain their mental capacity. Other studies have suggested that consuming dark chocolate produced an increased sensitivity to insulin (which indicates a protective effect against diabetes.
- Cocoa has other things that may or may not be good for you, though on balance cocoa seems pretty darn healthy. Chocolate, on the other hand, usually has enough sugar, oils and additives to balance against the benefits of the cocoa content.
- Raw cocoa is probably much healthier than processed cocoa powder. In fact, scientists in Spain discovered that they could boost the flavinol levels in
cocoa by 7 times when they skipped the conventional fermentation and roasting steps used in processing cocoa beans. - Cocoa beans may have relatively high levels of lead. There are several studies, and even the Nigerian cocoa board admits as much. The lead may come from the process after harvest, partly because Nigeria still uses unleaded gasoline that affects the local air. It may be from the soil, or from agricultural chemicals. Yet, it’s there, especially in cocoa from Nigeria. Still, while large chocolate companies need to buy large volumes of beans and can’t get around this issue, smaller chocolate companies can be more particular about what cocoa they buy. Also, one study compared the levels of lead to those found in boiled shrimp. So the levels are not off the food charts. They are just high when compared to most foods.
- Buying cold-pressed, or raw chocolate might be a good idea – and it is widely available on the web. There is no need to buy Xocai or Chava chocolate unless you plan to get rich selling it to the next sucker down the line. And while I would guess that health chocolate is lead-free, I haven’t actually seen any proof of it in the form of objective tests.
Cocoa is a super food high in magnesium, and I recommend moderate consumption. Don’t rely on it as a cure-all. And stay away from the brands that have highly touted health claims and which use multi-level marketing, unless you have money to burn. And remember, chocolate can be healthy, but health chocolate can be harmful to your wallet, so use the money to buy some nice fresh foods instead.
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Magnesium in Coffee
I was out browsing the lists of magnesium rich foods once again – a weird hobby, but that’s what running a website about magnesium foods will do to you.
I came across this list, and was wowed by the number one magnesium super food right at the top. None other than coffee. 15,999 milligrams! That’s an outrageous number, considering your daily requirements are less than 500, or at most 800 if you follow the strongest proponents of magnesium. What does almost 16 grams of magnesium actually mean here? That’s enough to give diarrhea to you even if all you eat are rocks and starchy white rice.
This demonstrates a problem that many such lists have. If they list according to magnesium per 100 gram (about 4 ounces) servings, you’ll get things at the top of the list such as soy sauce, and fresh ground coffee (not the water, just the ground coffee beans). Try downing 4 ounces of soy sauce or coffee beans in a sitting. You won’t enjoy it, and most likely you’ll stop to get sick before you get even close.
The items at the top of nutrition lists based on one serving size will be top-heavy with things that aren’t meant to be eaten in those volumes.
Lists based on calories have the same issue. While they can be helpful, you will find very low calorie things such as salt, coffee, and kombu seaweed that, once again, cannot be eaten in any bulk.
This is why we need to talk about magnesium foods one by one. So, let’s talk about coffee…
I love coffee, and so I love any excuse to drink more of it. However there’s a problem. Coffee both drains your body of magnesium and contribute. First the contribution:
One 8 oz. cup of coffee will provide you with 7 mg of magnesium. That’s it. If you drink 5 or 6 such cups per day, you’ll get the benefit of 35-42 mg of magnesium. Now, compare that to a cup of spinach, which will give you about 150 mg of magnesium, and a whole lot more nutrition to boot. So yes, coffee gives you some magnesium, but it’s hardly the preferred source.
Now the bad news. Caffeine causes your body to lose magnesium, mainly through the urine. In the long run, coffee probably costs you more magnesium than it gives you.
So, all in all, coffee is not the place to to to get your extra magnesium. On the other hand, if you enjoy drinking coffee, go for it. It does contribute a bit of magnesium to make up for what it takes, and it is one of the most enjoyable things a person can drink.
For a little more on coffee, head over to the Harvard School of Public Health. No matter how much magnesium in coffee there is, this will make you feel good about drinking it.
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Liquid Calcium Magnesium Reviews
Liquid calcium magnesium is an easy way to supplement your intake of magnesium rich foods. While not forgetting that foods are in fact the best sources of magnesium, it can be tough to get all you need at times. If you do choose to use a supplement, liquid magnesium supplements would likely be absorbed better than solid magnesium supplements. Also, if you are already taking calcium supplements, it is vital that you add magnesium to the mix. An imbalance on the side of calcium can deprive your body of its needed magnesium.
Plenty of companies make liquid calcium magnesium, and the ratios of calcium to magnesium vary. Many go with the 2 parts calcium to one part magnesium formula. I myself am more inclined to favor something closer to 1:1, which is similar to the Japanese diet.
Let’s start with a smaller brand:
Angstrom Liquid Calcium Magnesium Supplement
This is not a widely know brand, yet has the richest blend of magnesium to calcium, actually 2:1 (2 parts magnesium, one part calcium). They also claim to be strict about not placing additives or flavorings in their product. They also say their product is “cell ready,” meaning it doesn’t need to go through the digestion process that tablet or capsule supplements require – and that it can be in “every cell in your body within 10 minutes.” They don’t say how this is different from every other manufacturer of liquid calcium magnesium, though. Nor do they specify whether they use magnesium citrate, magnesium chloride, or yet another form of magnesium. Still, worth visiting their website at angstrom-mineral.com to have a look for yourself.
Bluebonnet Liquid Calcium Magnesium
This has the advantage of being one of the most widely available, as well as one of the lowest priced, supplements of this category out there. They offer strawberry flavor, mixed berry, orange, and vitamin d enhanced blends, among others. They use magnesium citrate, and their biggest sales point is that they don’t make you gag. Straight magnesium is not the tastiest thing out there, and so these flavorings help you wash it down. Others can claim that makes it less pure, but even the purest magnesium won’t help you if you can’t stomach the thought of drinking it. The ratio is 2:1 calcium to magnesium, just the opposite of the above, but the one that is most commonly suggested. Bluebonnet is found on Amazon, as well as elsewhere, from $11 and up.
Tropical Oasis Calcium Magnesium
The advantage of Tropical Oasis, according to the reviews, is that it’s the best tasting (even if a bit chalky) and more effective than other brands. With 720 mg of magnesium citrate and 1200 mg of calcium, as well as vitamin d and creamy orange flavoring, they strive to be the upper end product that tastes good. Priced at $19 to $29 (check both Amazon and their website), it looks like a fairly safe option if you want to spend the extra money and are concerned about taste.
Floradix Liquid Calcium-Magnesium w/ Zinc
Floradix contains 186 mg magnesium and 155 mg calcium per serving, as well as 3.5 mg of zinc. At a price in the $20-$25 range, it is made with both magnesium gluconate and citrate. The ratio is almost a 1:1 ratio for magnesium and calcium, yet there is nothing that distinguishes it from the others here except for the use of glutamate forms of magnesium, which have different effects on the body, and the addition of zinc.
Target-Mins Liquid Calcium Magnesium
Liquid Target-Mins Calcium-Magnesium is focused on this formula with an added Vitamin D3 Complex. The “unique Target-Mins delivery system for increased effectiveness of mineral supplementation.” In their words, “First, we use a complex of free form amino acids combined for increased absorption. Second, we use not only a 2 to 1 ratio of Calcium to Magnesium, but we also use a 2 to 1 ratio of Calcium to Phosphorus. In a clinical study at Creighton University by Dr. Haney, it was demonstrated that for every 1,000 mg of Calcium consumed as a supplement, your body requires 500 mg of added Phosphorus for proper utilization. Third, we add vitamin D3, which has been shown to support proper regulation of the body?s Calcium/Phosphorus ratio and activate osteoblast function to support healthy bone structures.” That answers most of my questions. The magnesium comes in the form of magnesium citrate, aspartate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and taurinate. The price is around $28, but can be had more cheaply at Amazon.
Liqumins Cal/Mag/Zinc Liquid Supplement
Liqumens specializes is easy-to-drink liquid supplements. This one comes with an exotic pina-colada flavor, which suits the milkiness of magnesium. It has a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium (1200 mg to 600 mg), but also includes phosphorous , zinc and several other ingredients. Very favorable reviews on Amazon, with a price similar to the others – in the $20 to $29 range.
I am sorry that I haven’t provided any link for these, though they are easily found by searching Google or Amazon. I just don’t want to link to products that I am not personally familiar with. Several of the above look interesting to me, but I get plenty of magnesium through my diet here in Japan. If I wasn’t, I would be tempted to try a liquid calcium magnesium drink, though one with at least as much magnesium as calcium.
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Colon Cancer Incidence Reduced by Magnesium Rich Foods?
Yet more studies have provided evidence that magnesium rich foods may reduce the risks of colon cancer. No surprises here, though more work needs to be done in this area.
The Journal of Nutrition published a study by doctors at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo, Japan involving 40,000 men and 46,000 women, an reassuringly large sample for testing.
The 40,830 men and 46,287 women were followed up for 8 years. This study did not include an analysis of supplement use among participants. It focused strictly on magnesium intake from foods and dietary sources.
The study showed that higher intake of dietary magnesium was strongly associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer (colon cancer) in men. The study, however, showed no such correlation among the women. Investigators speculate that this discrepancy between the genders may be partly due to differences in alcohol consumption. Japanese men consume nearly four times as much alcohol as women, and that magnesium may counteract the oxidate stress of alcohol.
The investigators acknowledge that beneficial associations between magnesium intake and CRC risk may include the influence of other nutrients from foods, as participants with higher intakes of magnesium also tended to consume higher intakes of foods rich in calcium, zinc, fiber, folate, B-6 and vitamin D. Researchers conclude by stating “Increased intake of magnesium-rich foods is recommended if other studies, including randomized control trials, confirm our findings.”
The findings show a strong 52% reduction in colon cancer among men whose daily intake of magnesium was 327mg or greater, as opposed to the group whose intake was 238mg or less.
This was the latest of several studies suggesting a link between insufficient magnesium intake and colon cancer, including a Swedish study that showed magnesium reducing the chances of colon cancer in women. This study included supplements, and readers should note that Swedish women and Japanese women have very different genetic predispositions and diets.
Two things that are worth repeating here…
One is that increased consumption of magnesium rich foods almost guarantees that you will be getting more of all kinds of good nutrition. Again, foods that are high in magnesium tend to be very healthy and nutritious foods to begin with. So, by targeting more magnesium in your diet, you are in fact improving your diet in countless ways that you do not even know of.
The second point is the relation between alcohol and magnesium. While not mentioned by the doctors in the study above, alcohol consumption is know to decrease the magnesium levels in your cells. Obviously, eating 
a magnesium rich diet would help to counteract this. This may have also played a role in the Japanese study, as Japanese men do tend to drink much more than Japanese women (though many Japanese women are surprisingly strong drinkers as well).
Keep this in mind if you drink more than you should, and at least try to balance it out with a healthy diet of foods high in magnesium.
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Magnesium Absorption and Effects of Other Supplements
The good news is, the fat you eat may be giving you more magnesium – even though it may not be a magnesium rich food itself.
At least sometimes.
This shouldn’t be a surprise, despite the demonization of fat, it has been a staple part of the human diet dating back to dawn of hunting and fire. Indeed, insufficient fat was a much bigger concern throughout most of history. As always, abundance turns the world upside down, and fat got on the wrong side of many dieticians, not to mention dieters.
Well, here’s a reason to make sure you have at least some fat in your diet. But, before you get too exited, evidence has shown that excess fat can actually block the absorption of magnesium.
So here goes – things that help you absorb more magnesium:
FAT
A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 80, No. 2, 396-403, August 2004) looked at a small group of people to compare their absorption of carotenoids when eating salads with fat-free dressing as opposed to regular salad dressing with oil. Lo and behold, those who went fat-free absorbed almost no carotenoids, suggesting that the fat was needed for the body to access the nutrients.
I am very much opposed to “fat-free” concoctions for a number of reasons, not least being the manufactured crap they use to trick your body into tasting fat. Here’s another. If you’re worried about too much fat, do the old fashioned thing and reduce your portions. Your portions may be small, but at least they’ll be real, delicious and healthy.
VITAMIN C
Often cited as assisting magnesium absorption, there is very little evidence either way. But, since vitamin C is generally good for you, I’d rather err on the side of taking my supplements.
VITAMIN D
A 1972 study in the International Urology and Nephrology Journal in the Netherlands suggested that vitamin D could be helpful in assisting patients who needed greater absorption of magnesium through the intestine. This has been backed up by other studies, including “The Journal of Nutrition” study published in 1991.
However, and this is a big “however,” the 1991 study showed that vitamin D greatly increased the excretion of magnesium through the urine!
Easy come, easy go.
The jury is out on Vitamin D, but at the very least vitamin D supplements would seem to be unnecessary for magnesium absorption.
CALCIUM
This is a biggy. Many websites will tell you that calium is a magnesium antagonist, inhibiting its entry into cells. Other sites will tell you that they need each other. Magnesium helps calcium to work, and vice versa. They are in fact friends.
Not to confuse you, but all of the above appears to be true. Maybe it’s best to think of calcium of magnesium as a turbulent married couple (or even Tweedledee and Tweedledum)- not always helpful to each other, yet they both need
the other. There’s a fine balance between the blow out fights, the affairs, and the love and support.
In the case of magnesium and calcium, many people have decided that the ration of 2 parts calcium to one part magnesium is this perfect ration.
This 2 to 1 ratio appears to be plucked out of thin air.
In fact, in Japan, which has a very low rate of heart disease, the ration is closer to 1/1.
The only thing I can say here is to take it easy on the calcium supplements.
VITAMIN B6
Long term, and massive doses, of oral vitamin B6 appear to boost magnesium levels. Since massive doses of anything should only be administered by a competent physician, just put this in the back of your mind. B6 shots will temporarily boost magnesium levels, and at the same time crash your calcium levels. So while B6 does encourage magnesium retention, it’s not something you’d want to try lightly.
A GOOD MEAL and MINERAL WATER
If you’re getting your magnesium from mineral water, a 2002 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that, while 50% of the water’s magnesium was absorbed when drunk without food, that amount greatly increased when the water was taken with a meal. To which we say “bon apetit!”
Going back to the fat, since most magnesium rich nuts, such as almonds and cashews, contain oil, you’re probably better off munching on them. So far as other supplements to boost your magnesium absorption, just forget it. Keep your consumption of alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks to a minimum, eat fresh foods, and especially green leafy things. Don’t go into mad scientist mode trying to make the perfect supplement concoction. Eat foods high in magnesium and enjoy life!
Filed Under Uncategorized, magnesium and health, magnesium supplements | 2 Comments
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