Elevate your Tokyo evening at Two Rooms in Aoyama
Designed for both indulgent dinners and spirited soirées, the menu pairs beautifully with the venue's award-winning wine selection, curated sake list and inventive cocktails. Pro tip: start with one of the meticulously crafted martinis and see where the night takes you.
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The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Channelling your cravings into conscious choices for better health
Celebrating life's little moments – whether it's a birthday, a long-awaited promotion, reconnecting with an old school friend, or simply making it through an exhausting work day – often comes with a sweet treat. And more often than not, people choose chocolates. However, for many, the pleasure is short-lived. Once the sugar craving is satiated, guilt begins to creep in, quietly overshadowing the joy that first accompanied the celebration. The usual reaction that follows is to want to give up chocolates altogether. But this doesn't always have to be the case: with a little awareness and a few smart choices, it is possible to enjoy sweet treats that satisfy your cravings and align with your health goals at the same time. One such choice—when enjoyed in moderation—is dark chocolate. Why dark chocolate? Dark chocolate is packed with a number of powerful antioxidants. Flavanols such as epicatechin, which are plant compounds that fight inflammation and protect against cell damage from free radicals, are linked to improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and better heart health. Dark chocolate also has polyphenols, which are plant compounds with antioxidant properties. It also contains theobromine, a mild stimulant, mood enhancer and antioxidant. How does eating dark chocolate help? Dark chocolate isn't just a tasty way to hit your dopamine receptors, but when consumed wisely, it can also supplement your body with surprising health benefits. Some of them include: Reduced oxidation stress: Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids (a type of polyphenol, a category of natural compounds found in plants), which are powerful antioxidants. These compounds help neutralise free radicals that contribute to cellular damage and long-term diseases like cancer and heart disease. Improved blood flowand lower blood pressure: The flavanols (a sub-class of flavonoids) in dark chocolate stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which helps relax blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow and reduced blood pressure. Improved heart health: Flavanols (a sub-class of flavonoids) in dark chocolate help relax blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. Boosts cognitive skills and mood: Increased blood flow to the brain leads to better memory, focus, and concentration. In a Japanese study, people who consumed five pieces of 72 % dark chocolate every day experienced reduced mental and physical fatigue and improved cognitive test performance. Flavonoids also promote the release of dopamine and serotonin, uplifting one's mood naturally. Helps with blood sugar control: Surprisingly, dark chocolate may be helpful for blood sugar control when eaten in moderation. A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) showed that eating five small portions per week was linked to a 21 % lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Each additional portion appeared to lower the risk further. Athletic performance: Epicatechin can increase nitric oxide production, which supports circulation and may reduce oxygen consumption during exercise, allowing for longer workout intensity. Read the label: what to watch out for Not all chocolates are created the same way. Just because it is labelled 'dark' does not mean that it is healthy. Many brands load their chocolate bars with added sugars, emulsifiers, and low-quality fats that cancel out the potential perks. Here's what to scan for on your chocolate labels: cocoa content – look for cocoa content between 70 to 85 %; sugar – less is more, ideally, under 5g of sugar per serving; fats – skip chocolate bars that contain hydrogenated oils; additives – steer clear of high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavours. 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After all, celebrating life's little wins should be a source of happiness, not regret. (Suparna Mukherjee, is in-charge, clinical nutrition & dietetics, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru.
NZ Herald
30 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
Why depachikas in Japan are the best place to enjoy the foodie scene
Want to dive into Japanese cuisine? Make a beeline for a depachika, writes Tamara Hinson In Japan, depachikas – department store food halls selling the finest food and drink – are an institution. A portmanteau of 'depato' (department store) and 'chika' (basement), these subterranean Shangri-las are the perfect place
Japan Forward
an hour ago
- Japan Forward
Friends: Beyond the Differences
このページを 日本語 で読む JAPAN Forward has launched "Ignite," a series to share the voices of students in Japan in English. What do they see beyond our differences? Individually and collectively, today's students will shape our global future. Let's listen. This third essay introduces another winning work of the Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) high school student English essay contest. In the following essay, high school student Anna Koga recounts the hurt she felt when her friend's way of saying goodbye wasn't as intense as her own. She recalls in an essay the emotional experience of learning to understand the differences among friends and overcoming the hurt. Third in the Series, 'Ignite' "Thank you for everything," I said, holding back tears, "I will never forget the amazing days I spent with you." I stood in front of the security gate in Pittsburgh International Airport. "I'm going to... miss you... so much," I managed to say between sobs. Clear sky, fresh air and a nice smell of morning coffee. Everything was too perfect to say goodbye to Cathy, my host sister. It wasn't our first goodbye. A year earlier, Cathy came to my house in Japan as a homestay student. Following a wonderful week, she went back home to Pittsburgh, after which our friendship grew. Filled with emotions, welling up with tears, I waited for her to say something. Compared to me crying my eyes out, she had a much brighter outlook on our parting. "Yeah," she chirped, "but I can't wait to see you again! Have a safe flight, Anna!" A quick hug and she gently urged me to go to the gate. Anna Koga is the winner of the IIBC Grand Prize (2024). If I am being honest with myself, and you the reader, I was disappointed. I had always believed that it is only polite to follow the Japanese cultural custom of nagori oshimu ― saying goodbye reluctantly. I expected her to be just as reluctant. When I was walking into the line at the gate, my head filled with many questions. "Isn't she sad that I'm leaving? Won't she miss me even a little? Did I do something wrong?" I turned to see her face, but she was gone. Even after three in-flight movies and a long, restless nap on the airplane, I was still thinking about this ordeal. Perhaps she wasn't very moved because she no longer cared about me. But as soon as I touched down, she texted me "I miss you so much already!" Why now?! After some research online, I found that many fellow Japanese have been in the same situation. Not only that, but I also read a blog written by an American woman living in Japan, introducing her experiences of parting with Japanese friends. What surprised me more was that she felt very awkward when Japanese showed reluctance to leave. This reminded me of [Geert] Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory on differences in cultures across countries and how those relate to values and behavior. According to the theory, Japan is a collectivistic country, meaning that people value connections and crave sustained connections with others. This accounts for the nagori oshimu custom. It is a display of our wish to remain together. In contrast, countries like America are individualistic, and people value independence. It might be true that cultural differences lead people to have different values. This past year, my host sister didn't text me as much as my other long-distance friends. Despite this, I neither think she doesn't care about me, nor do I believe people in individualistic countries don't care. When telling her that economics would prevent me from being able to visit her as I had planned, her family agreed to let me stay at her house. She then planned the entire trip for me. She took me to many places and let me try anything I wanted. She stuck by my side and introduced me to her amazing friends. Why would she have done this if she didn't care about me? Regardless of the culture, everyone has their own life to live and their own sense of values to guide them. Having the exact same sense should not be the thing that maintains a friendship. If what you and your friends value the most is different, even if that changes, the memories of the good times you spent together stay. And that's all you need to stay connected. I'm sure that I will have various people as my friends, and it may not be easy for me or them to keep in touch. When that time comes, I will remember my experiences throughout each friendship. And in the end, even if Cathy doesn't cry, you can be sure that I will. Anna Koga is a student at Saitama Municipal Omiya International Secondary School. Upon receiving the IIBC Grand Prize, she stated: "I am very honored to receive the Grand Prize. "This essay is about the differences in values I experienced when interacting with my American friends, and the frustration I felt about it. While writing the essay, I thought about the relationship between differences in values and friendship, and was able to find my own answer to the question, 'What is needed for friendship that transcends differences?' "I would like to continue to build rich human relationships by interacting with people from all over the world, without being bound by 'differences.' In particular, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my teachers who taught me and to all the judges. Author: Anna Koga Saitama Municipal Omiya International Secondary School このページを 日本語 で読む
