Increase your cerebral blood flow - with chocolate! - Ian Macdonald from University of Nottingham, U.K. reported at a recent meeting that consumption of dark chocolate cocoa increased blood flow to the cerebrum for two to three hours. The active ingredient is flavanols, which are also present in red wine, blueberries and green tea. A possible side effect of increased blood flow to the brain - improved cognitive function. Unfortunately, the cocoa formulation they used for the study is not commercially available.

Black soybeans may reduce weight gain - According to a report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, black soybeans may help control weight, and lower fat and cholesterol levels by affecting fat metabolism in the liver. The study was done in rats.

Big merger may hurt organic cotton producers - Monsanto, the largest seed company in the world, announced plans to purchase the biggest cottonseed seller in the U.S., Delta and Pine Land Company. This merger would give Monsanto two-thirds of the nation’s cottonseed supply. Since Monsanto favors biotech solutions to farming challenges, organic cotton farmers are concerned. Monsanto recently published a response to the article published in Wired.