 |
|
|
|
December 26th, 2010
01:01 PM ET
What's inside chocolate, strawberriesStrawberries 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.
Next entry »Is nasal mucus always a sign of infection?
« Previous entryDo you have a brain for social networks?
|
  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.
 |
|
|
|
http://www.bitranet.com/adrotator/webdesigning.asp?url=http://backbonehunters.com/
Terrific work! This is the kind of info that should be shared around the net. Disgrace on the search engines for not positioning this publish upper! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that you ought to publish more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don't talk about such topics. To the next! Many thanks!!
I do accept as true with all the concepts you have offered to your post. They're really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for newbies. May just you please prolong them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
Hey there! I could have sworn I've been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it's new to me. Nonetheless, I'm definitely glad I found it and I'll be book-marking and checking back often!
I'm really inspired with your writing abilities as well as with the format in your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it your self? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it's rare to peer a great blog like this one today..
I visited multiple websites however the audio quality for audio songs current at this web site is actually wonderful.
Very nice article, just what I wanted to find.
Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't loading properly. I'm not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.
each time i used to read smaller articles which as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading here.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I donÃt understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
https://community.electrochem.org/eWeb/logout.aspx?expires=yes&redirecturl=https://www.backboneleaders.com
https://finalcashback.net/link.php?i=4ec4a98f6a6b4&m=54a556a3a9f3e&guid=ON&url=https://backboneleaders.com
Hey there, You've done a great job. I'll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I'm confident they'll be benefited from this site.
http://ww17.tudominio.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.store
Amazing issues here. I'm very satisfied to peer your post. Thank you a lot and I'm looking forward to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this information.
http://dreamprinters.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=customcampervans.com
http://justnatural.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=rvcollisionrepairpaintshop.com
http://www.runningfriendsforever.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.vip
http://faprender.enviodenews.com/registra_clique.php?id=TH|teste|182022|16554&url=http://ocrv.biz/
http://dogshrink.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.net
http://bridgeblue.edu.vn/advertising.redirect.aspx?AdvId=155&url=http://ocrv.us
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read through, but I truly believed you would have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
http://www.overthetopstyle.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.mobi
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
I've been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i'm happy to convey that I've an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I such a lot surely will make certain to don?t forget this site and provides it a glance regularly.
Someone essentially lend a hand to make critically articles I'd state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular submit extraordinary. Magnificent job!
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are simply extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have got right here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to stay it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous web site.
I do consider all the ideas you have introduced in your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for newbies. Could you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!
http://danielvicariomd.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvcenter.com/
http://yellowpages.co.in/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.life
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Hi, the whole thing is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that's actually good, keep up writing.
This is very attention-grabbing, You're an overly skilled blogger. I've joined your rss feed and stay up for in search of more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks
http://referencevalley.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=boxtruckrepairshop.com
I am glad to be a visitant of this complete web site, appreciate it for this rare info!
I couldnÃt resist commenting. Very well written!
http://fasciststate.us/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.biz
You have made some decent points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
Great post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the good writing.
http://my.hisupplier.com/logout?return=https://ocrv.biz
Hello very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Superb .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also? I am happy to find a lot of useful info here within the publish, we need work out extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
What's up it's me, I am also visiting this web site on a regular basis, this site is in fact good and the people are actually sharing nice thoughts.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't fail me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I actually thought you would have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you can fix if you weren't too busy searching for attention.
https://suke10.com/ad/redirect?url=http://ocrvcenter.com
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this web site's articles or reviews every day along with a mug of coffee.
I have read so many posts about the blogger lovers except this piece of writing is really a fastidious article, keep it up.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this blog's posts every day along with a mug of coffee.
Your style is really unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this web site.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on elizabeth landau – cnn.com health writer/producer. Regards
Excellent, what a website it is! This blog provides helpful information to us, keep it up.