The RDA method

There has been an upswing in interest in the health benefits of eating dark chocolate : a small study demonstrated a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in insulin sensitivity in 15 healthy people.
Abstract here.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2005, Davide Grassi, Cristina Lippi, Stefano Necozione, Giovambattista Desideri and Claudio Ferri, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.

The last year has been all-quiet on the medical front - successful for the Fleet Surgeon, anyway. There have been no more cases of scurvy, no floggings or keelhauling, and no reports of drunkenness on the docks, even during the SIN Regatta. I was away for that, with 5 other NYC boats up in the Broughton Islands last summer, and we all met up for a pig roast at Pierre’s Cove, operated by a couple from Gabriola.

British Columbia remains the only area of North America with no evidence yet of West Nile Virus in humans, birds or mosquitoes. The virus was found in one horse in the northeast of the province, likely acquired in the US. While Canada reported fewer human cases in 2006, the concern is the US saw an increase of 37%.

Q: What does RDA stand for ?
A: Recommended Daily Allowance, or Recommended Dietary Allowance. It is being superseded gradually by DRI, Dietary Reference Intake.

Q: What is this site for ?
A : It is a place for people who are interested in helping each other learn to improve the quality of what they eat, aiming to improve their health and enjoyment in living, by using the material here, adding to it, and discussing ideas.

Q: What prompted you to start the site ?
A: Blogs are good for expressing one person's views; it is hard to have a multi-person discussion through blog comments.

Q: Will I really feel better if I follow your suggestions ?