Trends4Tomorrow (March 2, 2009) — An Italian study shows that dark chocolate can significantly reduce the inflammation that leads to cardiovascular disease. The ideal amount is 6.7 grams per day (about a quarter of an ounce). A typical Hershey’s chocolate bar weighs about 43 grams. That means eating one dark chocolate bar over the course of 6 1/2 days would give you the ideal 6.7 grams per day.

The discovery was made by scientists working on the Moli-sani Project in Campobasso, Italy, which investigates factors responsible for cardiovascular disease and tumours. The attrbute the apparent heart health benefits to lower levels of serum C-reactive protein (or CRP). CRP is a protein used as an indicator of inflammation, which is itself a major risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease.

The Italian scientists claim that theirs is the first study to show the effect of dark chocolate on CRP. People in the study having moderate amounts of dark chocolate regularly shoed lower levels of C-reactive protein in their blood. In other words, their inflammatory state was considerably reduced.”

The consumption of chocolate has long been linked with improved heart health. Several studies have been carried out which suggest that the antioxidant properties of flavonoids have the potential to lower the risk of CVD. Cocoa beans contain several flavonoids, including the monomeric flavonols epicatechin and catechin, as well as oligomeric procyanidins.

The results of a 14-month study by the University of the West of England, entitled  'Prolonging Safe Driver Behaviour through Technology: Attitudes of Older Drivers' (http://www.transport.uwe.ac.uk) highlights the key role technology could play in extending the age at which people can drive safely on our roads. It identifies a set of innovative in-car information systems, which, if developed, could help compensate for the reduction in reaction time that affects many drivers as they get older.

The systems would not take control of the car away from the driver and would enable users to retain their sense of independence.

Specific technological concepts include:

• A system that unobtrusively displays road sign information through a head-up display on the windscreen. This is a see-through display that shows information without impeding the user's view. Harnessing Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, this would track a car's position and identify approaching signs. Exactly the same information contained in the signs would then appear on the windscreen at the right moment. The driver would therefore not have to keep scouring the road side for information.  And,
• A system providing the driver with audible feedback on their current speed, again harnessing GPS technology. For example, one short, non-distracting bleep could indicate the car is approaching the local speed limit; a longer bleep could indicate the speed limit has been reached. The driver would therefore not have to look at the dashboard so often.

These systems have the potential to minimize the amount of time drivers divert their attention from the road ahead, cutting the chance of an accident.

A key finding was the important psychological role that driving plays in older people's lives, in contributing to feelings of independence and freedom, and their quality of life. The study also highlighted that:

• Older women are currently more likely than older men to give up driving voluntarily. This may be because driving tends to play a different role in older men's perception of status and role.
• Older drivers' needs can be split into three categories: practical (e.g. going to the shops or doctor's surgery), social (e.g. visiting friends and attending functions) and aesthetic (e.g. enjoying the countryside and fulfillment of independence and control over one's life).

Those surveyed expressed strong reservations about in-car technologies now under development, which aim to take an element of control away from the driver (e.g. systems automatically limiting car speeds or regulating the distance between a car and the vehicle in front). By constraining feelings of independence, such technologies could discourage older people from driving even though they are still physically capable.

A strong preference was expressed for technologies, which simply improve information provision and aid decision-making, such as the GPS-based systems described above.

According to the researchers, “the current emphasis on developing technologies which take over part of the driving task may actually end up deterring older drivers. By contrast, better in-car information systems could help them drive safely and ensure they want to keep driving.”

Dr Musselwhite and his team are now planning to work with technical experts to produce a prototype speed information system and in-car road sign information display system.

For more information, visit http://www.sparc.ac.uk