News for Now Update: Week ending February 18, 2023

Chocolate Health Benefits: It’s Complicated
The FDA has approved limited “healthy” labeling for certain chocolates – but, it’s complicated. The heart-benefitting compounds, cocoa flavanols, have been tested as supplements, both in much greater concentration than most chocolate typically contains and without the added sugar and other ingredients. With chocolate’s oxalate and heavy metal concerns also coming to light, this treat remains one best indulged in sparingly. Read more at NPR.

The Little-Known Roots of Amish Soul Food
As we continue Black History Month, we’re excited to learn about Amish Soul Food, a fusion of Amish and African American cuisines born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. After years of distancing from his heritage while working in European-centric kitchens, Chef Chris Scott now seeks to introduce the world to the delicious, traditional culinary style he says reflects these groups’ shared history of resourcefulness and survival. Read more at Atlas Obscura.

Millet: A Grain Making a Comeback
Millet, a long-time staple grain in India and parts of Africa, is regaining popularity after taking a back seat to wheat and rice since the 1960s. Gluten-free and with greater nutrient-density and lower blood sugar impact, millet makes a valuable alternative that can be made into many similar dishes. In addition, its hardiness makes it a good choice to help increase crop diversity. Read more at BBC Travel.

Keto Benefits Aging Muscles and Brain
As we prepare for the coming week’s Low Carb Denver conference, we’re interested in studies such as this one, exploring the metabolic benefits of the extremely low-carb, ketogenic diet: UC Davis Health researchers found it reduced age-related muscle deterioration and supported brain health, although results were less promising for athletes and mixed when it came to the effectiveness of ketone supplements. Read more at UC Davis Health.

Metabolic Factors of Development as Related to Physical Fitness, by Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., MD
In this undated (pre-1967) #TBT article, Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., MD, discusses how a strong or weak metabolism (one’s ability to break down complex foods into simpler substances and rebuild them into new bodily tissues) can affect the development of muscles, bones, joints, and, consequently, one’s predisposition toward athletic performance and lifelong health. Notably, these effects can multiply across future generations. Read more in our Pioneer Archives Post.