February 07, 2012
Alright, OrthoIllinois Chiropractic can't hand you a piece of chocolate via the computer, but we can share some of its perks with you.First and foremost, chocolate is good for you, especially the dark chocolate kind. Honest! Is that why why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day? (1) Probably not, but your McHenry chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its central ingredient, cocoa, have beneficial effects for your heart, mind and body.
- Cocoa has approximately 4 times higher antioxidant capacity than green tea and twice that of red wine. (2) The anti-oxidant flavanols encountered in cocoa beans reduce cell damage in heart disease and help lower blood pressure. (4,6)
- Moderate (not overly indulgent!) consumption of dark chocolate offers blood pressure reducing effects and anti-inflammatory activity. (3,6)
- The anti-oxidants and the bigger magnesium content in dark chocolate can help with constipation problems and even speed up bowel movements! (2,5) We chiropractors know that constipation when you have back pain isn't good!
These findings are why OrthoIllinois Chiropractic can accept the enjoyment of dark chocolate...in moderation, of course. Mood, memory, brain function, heart, immune system and stress reduction may all benefit as well. (2) Whose day isn't enhanced with a piece of chocolate?!
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is adamant that not all nutrition has to be in pill form or even boring food form. Check out these articles, then chat with us about the viability of adding some dark chocolate to your life at your next McHenry chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!