Thanks for joining me Over Coffee
A writer by passion and profession, I've been writing since I was old enough to know how, so establishing a weblog
seemed a natural progression. By adding a blog to my site, I can speak about my passions and life, share my writing, art
and photos, and comment on current events.
Monday, February 09, 2004
Cravings of the Heart Smart What's loaded with antioxidants and helps lower blood pressure? No, I'm not talking about broccoli -- it's chocolate. Specifically, dark chocolate (sans milk) in moderation can prove heart smart. Don't take my word for it, WedMD has the sweet facts.
What is it about dark chocolate? The answer is plant phenols -- cocoa phenols, to be exact. These compounds are known to lower blood pressure. Chocolates made in Europe are generally richer in cocoa phenols than those made in the U.S. So if you're going to try this at home, remember: Darker is better.
So, what're you waiting for? Pick up some smooth, dark chocolates for your sweetheart...and for a healthy heart. Just be sure to plan for the extra calories and fat when planning your daily menus.
SOURCES: WebMD -- Taubert, D. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Aug. 27, 2003; vol 290: pp 1029-1030. Serafini, M. Nature, Aug. 28, 2003; vol 424: p 1013. U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Laboratory. See this article in the Telegraph for additional insight and information.
Cravings of the Heart Smart
