Happy almost Spring everyone!

I thought I’d share an interesting study I stumbled on recently, which actually is from back in 2023. I’ve been making my cocoa powder super smoothies lately made with some Polyphenol Rich Cocoa Powder and a frozen banana, until I read this study which basically advised that was a really bad idea. According to the study conducted by the University of California, Davis, in collaboration with the University of Reading UK, bananas can negatively impact the absorption of flavanols like those found in cacao, which are the beneficial polyphenols (plant compounds) with antioxidant properties!

“The researchers found that those who drank the banana smoothie had 84% lower levels of flavanols in their body compared to the control [participants who took a flavanol capsule].”

So now I’m skipping the banana and still trying to find a replacement fruit that will go with my cocoa powder! I had no idea bananas were ruining my smoothies all these years, who knew!

Here’s the link to study info - You might be making this one mistake with your smoothie
Link if you interested in the Cocoa Powder - Santa Barbara Chocolate
And a Cleveland Clinic’s post to read more about Polyphenols - Foods Rich in Polyphenols — and Why They’re Important

What I’m watching…
Plant-based chef and Author, Chef AJ, recently hosted a month-long YouTube series, Thriving in the Face of Cancer, where she interviewed top healthcare professionals as well as cancer survivors on how to thrive with cancer after disclosing her own personal journey with Lung Cancer. You can catch all the episodes on her YouTube channel - @CHEFAJ.

A recent study I love …
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Eating dark chocolate linked with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes!

March 19, 2025 - Dance your stress away: New research unveils the secrets of movement in stress management - University of Surrey, UK
”The findings suggest that engaging in dance can facilitate emotional expression and foster social bonds, creating a powerful buffer against stress. These elements not only elevate mood but also stimulate the release of hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, which are linked to feelings of happiness and connection.”

Feb. 24, 2025 - Brewing Tea Removes Lead from Water - Northwestern University
”In a new study, Northwestern Engineering researchers demonstrated that brewing tea naturally adsorbs heavy metals like lead and cadmium, effectively filtering dangerous contaminants out of drinks. Heavy metal ions stick to, or adsorb to, the surface of the tea leaves, where they stay trapped.”

Feb. 20, 2025 - Small Amounts of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Are Associated with Big Reductions in Dementia Risk - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Researchers analyzed a data from nearly 90,000 adults living in the U.K. who wore smart-watch-type activity trackers and “… found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, compared to zero minutes per week, was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing dementia over an average four-year follow-up period. Even for frail older adults—those at elevated risk of adverse health outcomes—greater activity was associated with lower dementia risks.

Feb. 12, 2025 - Long-Term Yogurt Consumption Tied to Decreased Incidence of Certain Types of Colorectal Cancer - Mass General Brigham
”Using data from studies that have followed participants for decades, researchers found that long-term consumption of two or more servings per week of yogurt was tied to lower rates of proximal colorectal cancer positive for Bifidobacterium, a bacterial species found in yogurt.”