Nutrition in the News
Jessica Schindler
Article Summary
Katherine Tallmadge wrote the article “New Cocoa Studies: Reduces Wrinkles and Alzheimer's Disease” on November 29, 2015 in The Georgetown Dish a local news and social media blog of Georgetown in Washington, D.C.. The article discusses how a person has an excuse to eat more chocolate because of recent research results on the health benefits of cocoa. Katherine Tallmadge reports on the results of two recent studies on the effects of cocoa on reducing winkles and preventing cognitive decline. Tallmadge writes about a study published in the Journal of Nutrition that examined the effects of cocoa on sun damaged skin of women between the ages of 43 and 86. Women who consumed 4 tablespoons of flavanol, an antioxidant in cocoa, experienced reduced wrinkles and increased skin elasticity. According to a recent Journal review of Alzheimer’s disease research authors found that flavanols contribute to healthy brain aging and cognitive decline prevention by improving blood flow to the brain and reducing the oxidative and inflammatory damage that occurs with aging. Tallmadge, a registered dietician and writer, offers tips for increasing flavanols into the diet by eating unprocessed dark cocoa to prevent weight gain. The best source is unsweetened cocoa powder because this has the least amount of calories. She also explains that flavanols can be obtained from other sources like wine, tea, fruits and vegetables.
Critique of the Article
When trying to decide if a source is credible or not the CRAAP test should be used, according to the Laurentian Library (youtube.com). Is the nutrition information Current, Relevant, Accurate, who is the Authority, and what is the Purpose? The author, Katherine Tallmadge is a registered Dietician according to The Georgetown Dish. The information was published in the Georgetown Dish a local Newsletter of Georgetown in Washington D.C. Columns published in newspapers are reviewed by editors of the newspaper. Tallmadge obtained her information from scholarly research. It can be assumed that this information is credible and trustworthy because it was published in scholarly Journals. Research published in scholarly Journals are peer-reviewed to find information that is accurate and relevant. The information is relevant because the research was published in 2015. The column is also current because it was written on November 29, 2015. The nutrition tips are credible because Tallmadge is a Registered Dietician who has appeared on numerous T.V. news networks. Because of her background a conclusion can be made that the information provided is accurate. The purpose of the information is solely information for the general public about health. It is not written to sell a product. I have included little bios and pictures of the important people of The Georgetown Dish. From the bios one can conclude that the newspaper is a credible one. Using the acronym CRAAP, I can conclude that the nutrition information is credible and trustworthy.
Katherine Tallmadge, "Living Lite" Columnist
Judith Beermann, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Janet Staihar, Editor-at-Large
Antioxidants and Health: Bring On The Dark Chocolate
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2016, 06:00 PM
Cocoa Bites, 305 W Loveland Ave, Loveland, OH, United States
Sources
About Us. The Georgetown Dish. Retrieved from: http://www.thegeorgetowndish.com/misc/about-us
Evaluating Sources for Credibility. Library of NCSU. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLTOVoHbH5c
Evaluating sources with the CRAAP test (remix of NYIT's video). Laurentian Library. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGi5TzrZ5T8&feature=youtu.be
Dubner, L; Wang, J; Ho, L; Ward, L; Pasinetti, GM. (2015) Recommendations for Development of New Standardized Forms of Cocoa Breeds and Cocoa Extract Processing for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease: Role of Cocoa in Promotion of Cognitive Resilience and Healthy Brain Aging. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Hyun-Sun, Yoon; Jong Rhan, Kim; Gyeong, Yul Parks; Jong-Eun, Kim; Donq, Hun Lee; Kiwon, Lee; Jin, Ho Chung' (2015) Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Nutrition.
Tallmadge, Katherine. (2015) New Cocoa Studies: Reduces Wrinkles and Alzheimer's Disease. The Georgetown Dish.