INFORMATIVE SPEECH PLAN

Aileen Grace Delima February 15, 2008

AH 3 – Section L ____ min. ___ sec.

Hallmark: Metabolic Profile of Chocolate Lovers

TOPIC: The hallmark metabolic profile of chocolate lovers

SPECIFIC SPEECH PURPOSE: To tell the students about the recent finding on the
hallmark metabolic profile of chocolate lovers

Attention Step

Are you a chocolate lover? You may be programmed for it! In connection with
this, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about the recent finding on the
hallmark metabolic profile of being addicted to chocolates.

Need Step

People readily admit to being 'addicted to chocolate' or willingly label themselves

as 'chocoholics'. Scientists have found out that the reason of being addicted to chocolate
is because we are ‘programmed’ to love it.

Satisfaction Step

Mood-enhancing ingredients give chocolates a special appeal; however, evidence

and logic find little support for this. Feelings like “falling in love”, can be triggered by
phenylethylamine while “feeling good” is due to endorphins. But many of these
compounds exist in higher concentrations in other foods with less appeal than chocolate.
Now, why do we really desire chocolates?

For the first time, scientists have linked the human preference to chocolates to a
specific chemical signature that may be programmed into the metabolic system in such a
way that the body becomes attuned to a particular diet. Nestle Research Center in
Switzerland reported that the plasma metabolic profiles of those who desired chocolate
could be distinguished from those who were indifferent to its charms.

The chocolate­indifferent individuals tended to display higher levels of 
low­density lipoproteins (LDLs) or the “bad” cholesterol. However, ‘chocolate 
lovers'   had   a   hallmark   metabolic   profile   that   involved   low   levels   of   LDL­
cholesterol and high levels of albumin.  Stearic acid in chocolates lowers LDL 
cholesterol   and   prevents   atherosclerosis.   While   chocolate   may   be   an 
antioxidant, as with all foods, it is best to consume in moderation.
 In addition, urinary analyses also identified different metabolic differences
between chocolate-desiring and chocolate-indifferent groups as well as the functionality
of gut microflora.

Visualization Step

Diet leads to a sort of metabolic “imprinting”. In other words, the body and its
associated microflora appear to become attuned to a particular diet. This finding can have
both positive and negative health consequences—but which also could ultimately open
the door to novel dietary regimes.

Action Step

Knowing how different people react to different foods can help determine the
optimum diet and nutrition for everyone. Although this one is a preliminary finding, I
hope now you have a clearer insight with regards to your diet. Keep in mind: “There is a
sweet science behind chocolates”.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[ACS] American Chemical Society. "People Are Programmed To Love Chocolate, Study
Finds." ScienceDaily 12 October 2007. <http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2007/10/071012080118.htm>. Date accessed 18 November 2007.

BORENSTEIN, S. October 12, 2007. The Science of Chocolate Cravings.

<http://www.livescience.com/health/071012-ap-chocolate-cravings.html> Date
accessed 2008 February 5.

PERKEL.J.M. 2007. A Molecular Picture of Chocoholics. Journal of Proteome Research

6:11.

SMARTKIT. January 7, 2007. “Chocolate as brain food: lowers LDL cholesterol.”

<http://www.smart-kit.com/s309/chocolate-as-brain-food-lowers-ldl-cholesterol/>
Date accessed 11 February 2008.

WATERHOUSE, A.L., J.R. SHIRLEY, and J.L. DONOVAN. December 15, 1998.
"Antioxidants in Chocolate". pp. 348, 834. University of California.
<http://waterhouse.ucdavis.edu/chocolate.htm> Date accessed 11 February 2008.