“Banned” Food is the Secret to PERFECT Gut Health
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 9, 2017
Q: I’ve been seeing all of this research on how good chocolate is for your health. But I gave it up a long time ago, and it all sounds like a lot of baloney to me. Would you really recommend it to patients?
— Judy Q.
Dr. Scott: First off, I understand your skepticism… I really do. Most of the time, when something makes our taste buds happy, it’s usually terrible for our health.
And let me make a clear and important distinction here – when researchers are talking about chocolate, they mean real cocoa. Not the sugar-loaded junk in your supermarket candy aisle.
But as far as cocoa is concerned, it’s time to officially lift the ban. Because a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that it can make your tummy and tongue happy at the same time.
I’m sure you’ve heard before that good health starts in your gut. There are trillions of bacteria in our guts that support our immune system, digest our food, improve our metabolism, and work with us to make us healthier (or not).
When the bacteria are in perfect balance you are healthy. If not, you end up with digestive problems (and whole-body problems).
Chronic bacteria imbalance results in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and diseases far from your gut including allergies, asthma, arthritis, and even cancer.
It is in your best interests to keep your gut bugs as happy as possible.
That’s where cocoa enters the picture.
Cocoa has many benefits including acting as a powerful antioxidant, lowering cholesterol, slowing down mental decline, and keeping our hearts healthy.
But the new study showed that cocoa is great for our digestive tract.
When we eat chocolate, we don’t digest all of it, and this leaves some cocoa for our gut bacteria. The gut bacteria then take cocoa and change it into smaller components that we can then absorb.
This is great news for our bodies, because many of these small molecules digested by our gut bacteria support our good health.
Many studies have shown that cocoa helps to reduce inflammation in the gut. Cocoa also seems to promote the growth of good bacteria over bad bacteria – further improving our health.
But here is what no one is telling you about chocolate studies – scientists use very high levels of cocoa to see the results they are seeing.
The cocoa they use is like Baker’s chocolate or powered cocoa – think chocolate before sugar and fat are added.
So, before you rush out and grab a Snickers bar, thinking you are doing your body a favor, think again. The sugar in that kind of chocolate will wipe out any benefit you might be getting from the small amount of cocoa in the bar.
If you want to get the benefit of anti-inflammation, and better gut health, look for a bar that is 80 percent cocoa or above.
Want me to answer your question next? Email me at askdrscott@livingwelldaily.com
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...