Can Eating Chocolate Help Keep You Slim?
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When it comes to chocolate, you might just be able to have your sweet and eat it, too |
MORE: Got a Health Complaint? There May Be a Chocolate for That
Golomb’s team asked 1,000 men and women how much chocolate they consumed in a week, and recorded how much exercise they did over the same time period. Eating chocolate five times a week was linked to a 1-point drop in BMI, though the amount of chocolate the participants ate did not seem to have a significant effect on weight. The chocolate-lovers’ lower BMI also could not be accounted for by exercise or eating less overall. It “clearly wasn’t explained by the fact that people who ate chocolate ate less food, because they ate more. And they didn’t exercise more than those who didn’t eat as much chocolate,” says Golomb. “So there is no evidence that this effect can be explained by any confounder we looked at.”
The results certainly don’t prove that eating chocolate every day will make you lose weight, but they do raise interesting questions about how better to interpret the benefits of chocolate. Previous studies have focused specifically on its individual benefits, such as the ability of its antioxidants to lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels, or the role that chocolate’s flavenols can play in lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow by inhibiting clotting processes. Even the primary fat in chocolate, cocoa butter, isn’t such a health problem because it is made up of stearic acid, which does not raise cholesterol levels, says Golomb. She says it’s important to consider all of these metabolic effects together to get a sense of the net effect that chocolate has on the body. Overall, that effect seems to be a positive one.
International Monetary Fund: Cost of aging rising faster than expected
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People worldwide are living three years longer than expected on average, pushing up the costs of aging by 50 percent, and governments and pension funds are ill prepared, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. |
Already the cost of caring for
aging baby boomers is beginning to strain government budgets,
particularly in advanced economies where by 2050 the elderly will match
the numbers of workers almost one for one. The IMF study shows that the
problem is global and that longevity is a bigger risk than thought.
“If everyone in 2050 lived just three years longer than now expected, in line with the average underestimation of longevity in the past, society would need extra resources equal to 1 to 2 percent of GDP per year,” it said in a study to be released in its World Economic Outlook next week.
For private pension plans in the United States alone, an extra three years of life would add 9 percent to liabilities, the IMF said in urging governments and the private sector to prepare now for the risk of longer lifespans.
Demographers for many years have assumed that the lengthening of lifespans would slow in developed countries. But with continual advances in medical technology, that has not happened as acutely as expected. In emerging economies, rising standards of living and the expansion of health care also are adding to lifespans.
To give an idea of how costly this could prove, the IMF estimated that if advanced economies were to plug the shortfall in pension savings of an extra three years immediately, they would have to stash away the equivalent of 50 percent of 2010 GDP, and emerging economies would need 25 percent.
These extra costs fall on top of the doubling in total expenses that countries can expect through 2050 from an aging population. The faster countries tackle the problem, the easier it will be to handle the risk of people living longer, the IMF said.
These estimates cover only pensions. They do not account for healthcare costs, which also rise the longer someone lives.
In a December 2009 study, the MacArthur Research Network on Aging estimated that Americans are living between three and eight years longer than commonly expected, adding $3.2 trillion to Medicare and Social Security, the government-backed healthcare plan for the elderly and pension program.
In North America and advanced Europe, lifespans increased by eight years between 1970 and 2010, and are projected to increase by an additional four years through 2050 -- that’s about five weeks more per year.
At the same time old-age dependency, or the ratio of population over 65 to those in the prime working ages of 15 to 64, is expected to increase from 24 percent to 48 percent of the total population in advanced economies by 2050 -- in other words roughly one retired person every worker.
Emerging Europe has seen lifespans grow more slowly by 1.1 years in the 40 years before 2010 but can expect longevity to rise sharply by 6.8 years in the next 40 years, the IMF said. For emerging economies, their old-age dependency ratios are expected to rise from 13 percent today to 33 percent by 2050.
Steps governments can take to manage the risk of people living longer are to raise the retirement age, increase taxes to fund public pension plans and lower benefits -- all steps most advanced economies are already considering.
They also could help the private sector by educating citizens better on how to prepare for their retirements and by promoting retirement products that protect people against the risk that they outlive their assets.
“Although longevity risk is a slow-burning issue, it increases the vulnerability of the public and the private sector to various other shocks,” the IMF said in its study.
“If everyone in 2050 lived just three years longer than now expected, in line with the average underestimation of longevity in the past, society would need extra resources equal to 1 to 2 percent of GDP per year,” it said in a study to be released in its World Economic Outlook next week.
For private pension plans in the United States alone, an extra three years of life would add 9 percent to liabilities, the IMF said in urging governments and the private sector to prepare now for the risk of longer lifespans.
Demographers for many years have assumed that the lengthening of lifespans would slow in developed countries. But with continual advances in medical technology, that has not happened as acutely as expected. In emerging economies, rising standards of living and the expansion of health care also are adding to lifespans.
To give an idea of how costly this could prove, the IMF estimated that if advanced economies were to plug the shortfall in pension savings of an extra three years immediately, they would have to stash away the equivalent of 50 percent of 2010 GDP, and emerging economies would need 25 percent.
These extra costs fall on top of the doubling in total expenses that countries can expect through 2050 from an aging population. The faster countries tackle the problem, the easier it will be to handle the risk of people living longer, the IMF said.
These estimates cover only pensions. They do not account for healthcare costs, which also rise the longer someone lives.
In a December 2009 study, the MacArthur Research Network on Aging estimated that Americans are living between three and eight years longer than commonly expected, adding $3.2 trillion to Medicare and Social Security, the government-backed healthcare plan for the elderly and pension program.
In North America and advanced Europe, lifespans increased by eight years between 1970 and 2010, and are projected to increase by an additional four years through 2050 -- that’s about five weeks more per year.
At the same time old-age dependency, or the ratio of population over 65 to those in the prime working ages of 15 to 64, is expected to increase from 24 percent to 48 percent of the total population in advanced economies by 2050 -- in other words roughly one retired person every worker.
Emerging Europe has seen lifespans grow more slowly by 1.1 years in the 40 years before 2010 but can expect longevity to rise sharply by 6.8 years in the next 40 years, the IMF said. For emerging economies, their old-age dependency ratios are expected to rise from 13 percent today to 33 percent by 2050.
Steps governments can take to manage the risk of people living longer are to raise the retirement age, increase taxes to fund public pension plans and lower benefits -- all steps most advanced economies are already considering.
They also could help the private sector by educating citizens better on how to prepare for their retirements and by promoting retirement products that protect people against the risk that they outlive their assets.
“Although longevity risk is a slow-burning issue, it increases the vulnerability of the public and the private sector to various other shocks,” the IMF said in its study.
Madrid, Chelsea put one foot in Champions League semifinals
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Real Madrid gave APOEL Nicosia a reality check in the biggest match of the unheralded Greek Cypriot club’s history when they met on Tuesday in the Champions League. |
Looking to cause one of the greatest shocks in the
history of the competition, APOEL came up short against the millionaires
from Madrid, losing 3-0 at home to the nine-time European champions in
the first leg of the quarterfinals.
All of Madrid’s goals came in the final 16 minutes at a rocking GSP Stadium in Nicosia, with France striker Karim Benzema scoring twice to take his Champions League haul to 25 goals in 41 matches and Brazilian playmaker Kaka scoring the other after coming off the bench.
“Real has advanced to the next phase of the Champions League, that’s for sure,” APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic said.
Chelsea also took a giant step toward the semifinals, beating Portuguese side Benfica 1-0 away courtesy of Salomon Kalou’s 75th-minute goal.
“It’s terrific, you couldn’t have hoped for a better result,” interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said. “Nothing is over there is still another 90 minutes to play. But we will have home advantage.”
After producing one of the most diverse quarterfinal lineups in recent memory, the Champions League could easily end up having four of its usual contenders in the semifinals.
The two other last-eight first legs are played on Wednesday, with reigning champion Barcelona visiting AC Milan and Marseille at home to Bayern Munich, which hosts the final at the Allianz Arena on May 19.
Either Marseille or Bayern will surely be facing Madrid, which gave a confident, assured display on the tiny Mediterranean island.
After beating Lyon in the last 16, the first Greek Cypriot team to reach the Champions League’s knockout stages was looking to add an even more famous scalp on its historic run. But in the end the margin of victory could easily have been wider.
“The dream of the Champions League looks like it’s over. It looks very, very, very difficult for APOEL to beat us 4-0 or 4-1 in the Bernabeu,” Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. “But I think the next dream is to be in the Champions League again.”
Benzema had somehow contrived to miss an open goal from five yards (meters) out before finally opening the scoring in the 74th, diving to meet Kaka’s cross from the left with a glancing header.
Kaka gave Madrid more of a cutting edge after coming on as a second-half substitute and he neatly finished off good work on the left wing by fellow substitute and compatriot Marcelo to end APOEL’s hopes of a comeback in the 82nd.
Mourinho eyes history
Mourinho, bidding to become the first coach to win the competition with three clubs, was able to celebrate a third goal approaching injury time when Benzema connected with a perfect pass from Mesut Özil.
“This draw with Real was perhaps the last gift we’ve received from football this year because for us, it was a real honor to play this team,” Jovanovic said.
Di Matteo has made an impressive start to his temporary spell in charge following the firing of Andre Villas-Boas but would have faced heavy criticism had a much-changed lineup, missing stalwarts Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien, lost against Benfica.
As it was, his selection gamble paid off, with Fernando Torres -- starting in place of Drogba up front -- crossing for Kalou to guide home a side-footed finish to mark a rare start for the Ivory Coast forward.
“He’s come into the team after a long spell out, he got the goal and had a great game,” Di Matteo said of Kalou. “I didn’t think it was a gamble but sometimes in life you have to take a little risk.”
All of Madrid’s goals came in the final 16 minutes at a rocking GSP Stadium in Nicosia, with France striker Karim Benzema scoring twice to take his Champions League haul to 25 goals in 41 matches and Brazilian playmaker Kaka scoring the other after coming off the bench.
“Real has advanced to the next phase of the Champions League, that’s for sure,” APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic said.
Chelsea also took a giant step toward the semifinals, beating Portuguese side Benfica 1-0 away courtesy of Salomon Kalou’s 75th-minute goal.
“It’s terrific, you couldn’t have hoped for a better result,” interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said. “Nothing is over there is still another 90 minutes to play. But we will have home advantage.”
After producing one of the most diverse quarterfinal lineups in recent memory, the Champions League could easily end up having four of its usual contenders in the semifinals.
The two other last-eight first legs are played on Wednesday, with reigning champion Barcelona visiting AC Milan and Marseille at home to Bayern Munich, which hosts the final at the Allianz Arena on May 19.
Either Marseille or Bayern will surely be facing Madrid, which gave a confident, assured display on the tiny Mediterranean island.
After beating Lyon in the last 16, the first Greek Cypriot team to reach the Champions League’s knockout stages was looking to add an even more famous scalp on its historic run. But in the end the margin of victory could easily have been wider.
“The dream of the Champions League looks like it’s over. It looks very, very, very difficult for APOEL to beat us 4-0 or 4-1 in the Bernabeu,” Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. “But I think the next dream is to be in the Champions League again.”
Benzema had somehow contrived to miss an open goal from five yards (meters) out before finally opening the scoring in the 74th, diving to meet Kaka’s cross from the left with a glancing header.
Kaka gave Madrid more of a cutting edge after coming on as a second-half substitute and he neatly finished off good work on the left wing by fellow substitute and compatriot Marcelo to end APOEL’s hopes of a comeback in the 82nd.
Mourinho eyes history
Mourinho, bidding to become the first coach to win the competition with three clubs, was able to celebrate a third goal approaching injury time when Benzema connected with a perfect pass from Mesut Özil.
“This draw with Real was perhaps the last gift we’ve received from football this year because for us, it was a real honor to play this team,” Jovanovic said.
Di Matteo has made an impressive start to his temporary spell in charge following the firing of Andre Villas-Boas but would have faced heavy criticism had a much-changed lineup, missing stalwarts Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien, lost against Benfica.
As it was, his selection gamble paid off, with Fernando Torres -- starting in place of Drogba up front -- crossing for Kalou to guide home a side-footed finish to mark a rare start for the Ivory Coast forward.
“He’s come into the team after a long spell out, he got the goal and had a great game,” Di Matteo said of Kalou. “I didn’t think it was a gamble but sometimes in life you have to take a little risk.”
Source:
todayszaman.com
