home
RSS
What's inside chocolate, strawberries
December 26th, 2010
01:01 PM ET

What's inside chocolate, strawberries

Strawberries and chocolate go all too well together in fondue, cakes, and any other dessert you can imagine. Now, scientists are learning more than ever about the genetic makeup of both of these foods, and that knowledge could lead to genetically modified versions that are more nutritious and easier to grow.

The journal Nature Genetics is publishing studies about the genomes of each of these foods. Each of the studies is led by a different international team of researchers, and has received a mixture of academic, U.S. government and industry funding (strawberry industry groups contributed to research on that fruit, and Hershey Corp. helped fund the cocoa study).

By sequencing the strawberry genome, scientists can learn about how the fruits could be bio-engineered to be bigger, better-tasting, and more resistant to disease, said Kevin Folta, University of Florida researcher who collaborated on the study of the woodland strawberry. Folta estimates that it will be another 5 to 10 years before strawberries genetically modified for these qualities hit the market.

This is the first sequencing of the wild strawberry genome, and one of the first of any important fruit, said co-author Mark Borodovsky of Georgia Institute of Technology. The grape's genome was sequenced in 2008, and the apple earlier this year.

Strawberries are rich in many kinds of compounds implicated in health benefits, such as antioxidants. Antioxidants may guard your body from free radicals, atoms or groups of atoms that can damage cells. Understanding the genes underlying the synthesis of these beneficial substances may lead to the creation of strawberries that produce higher amounts of those compounds.

The cocoa study, similarly, could lead to the invention of more nutritious chocolate, said Mark Guiltinan, professor of plant molecular biology at Pennsylvania State University, who collaborated with a large consortium of researchers from around the world. They found 96 genes in the flavonoid pathway; flavonoids are compounds thought to improve artery health and reduce inflammation. Special breeding could increase those flavonoids.

"That would mean we’d be able to get more of these healthy, health-beneficial nutrients from chocolate with eating less chocolate; that’s probably a good thing," Guiltinan said.

In fact, German researchers announced in March that eating as little as a quarter ounce of chocolate per day could lower heart attack and stroke risk. Other research has linked eating cocoa to lowering blood pressure, improving blood vessel function, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), and increasing good cholesterol (HDL).

Guiltinan and colleagues studied Criollio cacao, a tree that the Maya domesticated about 3,000 years ago in Central America. It used in fine gourmet chocolate, and only in about 5% of commercial chocolate, because of its susceptibility to disease and low production. Chocolate made from it has more flowery, fruity notes than what's in your average candy bar, said Siela Maximova, study co-author and associate professor of horticulture at Penn State.

The genome sequence for this tree could help engineer more disease-resistant cacao, which would help local farmers in developing countries, Guiltinan said. Similarly, the strawberry genome could lead to genetically modified fruits that would help strawberry farmers in the developing world, Folta said.


soundoff (877 Responses)
  1. Robby Quinter

    http://moe.gov.np/site/language/swaplang/1/?redirect=https://sistasuns.com/

    June 26, 2021 at 11:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Kasha Lippi

    When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Kudos!

    http://www.cnxz.cn/redirect.php?url=http://statewidesecurityguards.com/

    June 26, 2021 at 12:44 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Allyson Malen

    Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

    https://www.erc.ur.ru/include/links.php?go=https://www.ocrv.pro

    June 26, 2021 at 13:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Yvette Hudspeth

    With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique content I've either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help stop content from being ripped off? I'd truly appreciate it.

    June 26, 2021 at 13:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Huey Wroe

    Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

    June 26, 2021 at 13:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Tuyet Frazier

    Hey, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boring? I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track! come on!

    June 26, 2021 at 13:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Windy Seese

    Attractive portion of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact loved account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your feeds and even I fulfillment you access persistently fast.

    June 26, 2021 at 14:10 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Lance Beardsley

    wonderful issues altogether, you just received a emblem new reader. What might you suggest about your publish that you simply made a few days in the past? Any certain?

    June 26, 2021 at 14:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Vida Speer

    Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!

    June 26, 2021 at 14:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Larae Waechter

    Everyone loves it when people come together and share views. Great website, keep it up!

    June 26, 2021 at 17:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Lucretia Nickerson

    We stumbled over here different web page and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page repeatedly.

    June 26, 2021 at 19:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Tyrone Hartwell

    What's up colleagues, good piece of writing and fastidious urging commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.

    June 26, 2021 at 19:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Remona Millard

    Currently it seems like Movable Type is the top blogging platform available right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

    June 26, 2021 at 21:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. scott adams podcast

    I love it when folks come together and share opinions. Great site, keep it up!

    https://adengine.old.rt.ru/go.jsp?to=https://backbonehunters.com

    June 26, 2021 at 21:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. 48 hours podcast

    https://spotlight.radiopublic.com/images/thumbnail?url=https://www.backbonehunters.com/

    June 26, 2021 at 22:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. Brittny Trumbo

    It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd most certainly donate to this excellent blog! I suppose for now i'll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

    June 26, 2021 at 22:33 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. The Leadership Conference On Civil And Human Rights

    Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for providing these details.

    http://transportation.automation.com/statistics/logClick.php?statType=commerce&pageId=33&Id=189&redirect=http://backboneleaders.com

    June 26, 2021 at 22:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Archer Silver

    Your method of telling all in this piece of writing is genuinely nice, every one be able to easily understand it, Thanks a lot.

    June 26, 2021 at 23:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. Rene Dudley

    Hi there, I would like to subscribe for this webpage to obtain hottest updates, therefore where can i do it please help.

    June 26, 2021 at 23:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. podcast apple

    https://clixgalore.com/NoRedirect.aspx?ID=11387&AfID=225385&BID=111815&ER=1&RU=https://backbonehunters.com/

    June 26, 2021 at 23:37 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. Kelli Cornejo

    I have read some just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you place to create this sort of great informative website.

    June 27, 2021 at 00:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. What Is Your Leadership Style

    I was extremely pleased to find this page. I need to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you book marked to check out new stuff in your website.

    http://localbusiness.pressdemocrat.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.backboneleaders.com

    June 27, 2021 at 01:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Leland Corbould

    Great blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    June 27, 2021 at 02:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Iesha Bettington

    Howdy! I could have sworn I've been to this blog before but after going through a few of the posts I realized it's new to me. Nonetheless, I'm certainly pleased I stumbled upon it and I'll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!

    June 27, 2021 at 02:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. Lionel Bowman

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

    June 27, 2021 at 03:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. Gladis Holler

    I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

    June 27, 2021 at 03:32 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. Jonas Pinckney

    I visited multiple blogs except the audio feature for audio songs existing at this web site is really fabulous.

    June 27, 2021 at 04:34 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. Shelly Bresnahan

    constantly i used to read smaller posts that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading at this time.

    June 27, 2021 at 05:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. Frederic Haun

    Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There's a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

    June 27, 2021 at 05:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. Curt Clune

    Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, as well as the content!

    June 27, 2021 at 05:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Gudrun Kluge

    Hi, I log on to your blog on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep it up!

    June 27, 2021 at 05:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. Coordination Leadership At The Joint Field Office Is Provided By:

    You should be a part of a contest for one of the greatest websites on the net. I will recommend this web site!

    https://www.smartsupp.com/affiliate/click?id=1124&url=https://backboneleaders.com/

    June 27, 2021 at 07:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Tamie Ironside

    You should take part in a contest for one of the greatest sites online. I'm going to recommend this web site!

    June 27, 2021 at 07:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. Elinor Schlapp

    I visited multiple blogs but the audio quality for audio songs current at this site is actually wonderful.

    June 27, 2021 at 08:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. Louise Collings

    Great work! That is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared across the internet. Shame on the seek engines for not positioning this post upper! Come on over and consult with my web site . Thank you =)

    June 27, 2021 at 08:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. Leona Banning

    Quality articles is the main to attract the visitors to pay a visit the site, that's what this web site is providing.

    June 27, 2021 at 08:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. Randy Spivey

    I have been surfing online greater than 3 hours lately, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It's beautiful worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the net might be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    June 27, 2021 at 08:37 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. Rodolfo Bramblett

    Hello, I would like to subscribe for this web site to get newest updates, thus where can i do it please help out.

    June 27, 2021 at 08:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. Milan Blaze

    Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't loading correctly. I'm not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.

    June 27, 2021 at 09:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. Maik Dresner

    What's up i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also create comment due to this sensible paragraph.

    June 27, 2021 at 09:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. clubchic.ro

    This website was... how do you say it? Relevant!!
    Finally I've found something that helped me. Appreciate it!

    Also visit my web-site – clubchic.ro

    June 27, 2021 at 09:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. Good Leadership Qualities

    https://sv.paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=http://backboneleaders.com/

    June 27, 2021 at 09:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. Juan Carlton

    Wonderful, what a webpage it is! This web site presents useful facts to us, keep it up.

    June 27, 2021 at 10:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. Roseanne Derham

    I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This post posted at this web site is genuinely nice.

    June 27, 2021 at 10:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. Josette Christie

    continuously i used to read smaller posts that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading at this time.

    June 27, 2021 at 10:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. Cinda Adkins

    Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?

    June 27, 2021 at 11:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. Lora Mast

    When I initially commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!

    June 27, 2021 at 11:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. michael knowles podcast

    https://rspcb.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/pageRedirect.aspx?RedirectedURL=http://www.backbonehunters.com/

    June 27, 2021 at 11:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. Leadership Courses

    You need to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality blogs on the net. I most certainly will recommend this blog!

    http://mirice.co.jp/brog/?wptouch_switch=mobile&redirect=https://backboneleaders.com

    June 27, 2021 at 11:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. Denisha Sullivan

    Hello, every time i used to check blog posts here early in the daylight, since i love to learn more and more.

    June 27, 2021 at 12:08 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Post a comment


 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.