Sweet News from Mars (Inc)

Mars, Inc., maker of such delectable delights as M&Ms and Snickers, released a preliminary genome sequence for the cacao tree, the ultimate source of the world’s chocolate.  For the research, the company teamed up with IBM, the US Department of Agriculture, Clemson University and Indiana University.

What the Research Means

The release of the genome sequence is good news on several levels, the least of which is improved taste.  The cacao tree, which produces the cocoa bean, has been subject to diseases that, in the past, have caused West African farmers to lose up to 40%-60% of their crop yields.  Because of this current research, the breeding process could ultimately be reduced from ten years to 36 months, according to a CNN report.

Because farmers will be able to discern whether or not a particular tree is disease resistant much sooner than they’ve been able to in years past, education and quality of life will improve significantly for them and their families.
 
And the benefits go beyond financial solvency; through improving the traditional breeding process (the researchers emphasize that larger crop yields will NOT come from genetic engineering), rainforests will be more protected and soil will be less depleted.

The chocolate industry is $17 billion per year behemoth, which should come as no surprise to most Americans, as the United States demand for the delicacy has been steadily rising by 2% each year.
 
Health Benefits

Chocolate is by no means a mere guilty pleasure. Aside from tasting good, dark chocolate is, well, GOOD FOR YOU!   Research conducted by Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome discovered that dark (but not milk) chocolate contains a hefty dose of antioxidants.  Antioxidants protect our bodies from aging, heart disease and other ailments caused by free radicals.

Other chocolate health benefits:

*protects the heart by lowering both blood pressure and cholesterol , according to a study conducted out of the University of Cologne in Germany and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003.
*balances certain hormones within the body
Additionally, the fact that chocolate is a pretty good mood lifter is no mere urban legend – it produces endorphins, or our “feel good” hormones.  It also contains serotonin, which acts as an antidepressant, and caffeine, the benefits of which need no explanation.

There is one caveat, however, and that is that chocolate packs with it a significant number of calories – so think “moderation” should you decide to indulge.