7 health benefits of chocolate

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, and no, it’s not just wishful thinking – chocolate really is good for you! Dark chocolate has a whole host of health benefits and is good for just about every part of your body. If you’re looking for an excuse to indulge on one of the world’s most popular treats then look no further – here are 7 health benefits of chocolate.




1. Chocolate makes you slim
Chocolate may not be an obvious food choice for dieters, but research findings suggest that eating chocolate in moderation could actually keep you slim. The study conducted by the University of California tested the theory that, as chocolate is believed to increase your metabolism, these benefits may cancel out the calories consumed. The results suggested that chocolate may not only be calorie-neutral; it can also help you to lose weight. The researchers discovered that adults who consumed chocolate frequently had a lower BMI than those who didn’t, despite them often eating more calories and not exercising more.

2. Chocolate makes you smarter
Got a tough exam coming up? Boost your IQ and indulge your taste buds at the same time by snacking on a few squares of chocolate. Dark chocolate is rich in brain-boosting chemicals, called flavonoids, which can enhance your cognitive skills by inducing the creation of new neurons in the brain and improving their ability to form new memories, as well as improving blood flow to the brain. One study of adult women found that when given flavonoid-rich chocolate drinks, the blood flow to participants' brains increased within two hours and they performed better on a complex mental task.

3. Chocolate gives you energy
Chocolate not only offers many amazing health benefits, it is also a great pick-me-up snack so can help you stay energized for your workouts. Chocolate is high in energy-boosting chemicals including theobromine (a stimulant found in many popular energy drinks) and caffeine. Furthermore, chocolate is a great source of magnesium and chromium, which both play a role in energy production. Have a few squares of chocolate in the afternoon or before a workout to help stay energized for longer.

4. Chocolate prevents wrinkles
While skin creams are great for keeping your skin looking more youthful, they can only do so much; to really keep the wrinkles at bay, you need to look to your diet. Antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, help to fight the free-radicals that can lead to wrinkles, and luckily there is an even tastier way to get your fill. Research has suggested that, when it comes to fighting free-radicals, chocolate could be even healthier than fruit! When tested and compared to juices from "superfruits" such as blueberries and pomegranate, dark chocolate was found to be higher in antioxidants.

5. Chocolate slows down muscle ageing
This may sound too good to be true, but shockingly scientists have discovered that small amounts of dark chocolate can improve your health in a similar way to exercise! Researchers from Wayne State University found that a plant compound (epicatechin) found in chocolate stimulated the same muscle response as vigorous exercise, which could help to slow down muscle ageing. Now, we’re not suggesting you should swap your workouts for chocolate, but surely this is a good excuse to treat yourself post-workout with a few squares of your favourite bar!

6. Chocolate helps you live longer
Jeanne Louise Calment – the oldest verified human being to have ever lived – lived a grand total of 122 years and 164 days, and put her good health down to her regular chocolate consumption. Now researchers have found that there may be some truth in the claims that chocolate can help you to live longer. Cocoa beans are packed with antioxidants which studies have found can help fight disease and cut your risk of heart disease – the biggest killer in the Western world. Indeed, US researchers published in the British Medical Journal believe that chocolate can lower your risk of heart disease by over a third.

7. Chocolate makes you happy
If you ever find yourself reaching for chocolate to ease a bad mood, it seems you could be onto something. Chocolate is known to be high in mood-boosting chemicals, and findings published in the scientific journal Nutritional Neuroscience have suggested that the food can even help reduce the symptoms of depression. The popular treat is not only high in magnesium, which can aid relaxation, but it contains anandamide, a neurotransmitter which can help to regulate mood, and phenylethylamine, which raises endorphin levels. Read more at www.realbuzz.com.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Amazing Health Benefits Of Eggs

MANILA, Philippines — For many decades now, physicians, food experts, nutritionists, heart/health associations have been divided in their opinions as to whether eggs are healthy or unhealthy foods. Because of this, many people avoid eating eggs – just to be on the safe side. Today, this is no longer the situation. Today, the amazing health benefits of eggs are now claimed, acclaimed and publicized.

Ever since I was a child, I have always believed the egg is one of God’s perfect foods to man. Why? Because I see my father eating four (4) cooked eggs (hard-boiled or sunny side up) as part of his breakfast every morning. My father died at the age of 95.

Let me share some amazing information on the nutritive and health benefits of eggs taken from Internet generated reports, books and other publications:

• Do you know that there are two (2) kinds of cholesterol, dietary (found in food) and blood (found in our bloodstream; also known as serum cholesterol). Do you also know that it is a misconception that dietary cholesterol becomes blood cholesterol as soon as we ingest an egg. Actually, our bodies manufacture the majority of our blood cholesterol;

• Do you know that studies have shown that it’s the saturated fat-rich foods that usually accompany eggs (like cheese bacon, sausage) and how eggs are often prepared (like frying in plenty of butter or salty ingredients) that are the culprits in raising the blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease – and not eating eggs per se.

• Do you know that eggs are super beneficial for the eyes. More particularly, eating eggs lower the risk of developing cataracts and prevent age-related muscular degeneration… because of the vision-protective carotenoid content of the eggs specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Eggs contain bigger amounts of carotenoid than green vegetables;

• Do you know that eggs promote healthy hair, nails, and skin because of the rich sulphur content of eggs as well as the vitamin and mineral content of eggs;

• Do you know that one egg contains all the nine (9) essential amino acids and six (6) grams of high quality protein. Do you also know that eggs are one of the best dietary sources of naturally occurring vitamin D other than milk. Finally, eggs contain folate which help prevent birth defects and cardiovascular disease;

• Do you know that there is no significant link between heart disease and eating eggs. This is the result of a study by the Harvard School of Public Health. In another study, eating eggs may in fact help prevent blood clots, stroke and heart attacks;

• Do you know that an egg yolk contains about 300 micrograms of choline, an important nutrient that aids in regulating the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system;

• Do you know that storing eggs in the refrigerator will keep them fresh for about one (1) month. It is best to keep eggs in their original carton or in a covered container so that the eggs will not absorb odors or lose any moisture. Eggs should not be stored in the refrigerator door since this exposes the eggs to too much heat every time the refrigerator is opened and closed.

• Eggs are one of the food types belonging to the major allergens as follows: (1) wheat; (2) cow’s milk; (3) hen’s eggs; 4) fish; (5) crustacean shellfish (including shrimp, prawns, lobster and crab); (6) tree nuts (including cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts); (7) peanuts; and (8) soy foods.

Food allergy symptoms vary from one person to another and may include skin rashes, hives, itching, and eczema; swelling of lips, tongue, or throat; tingling in the mouth; wheezing or nasal congestion; trouble breathing; and dizziness or lightheadedness and can also include fatigue, depression, chronic headache, chronic bowel problems (such as diarrhea or constipation), and insomnia.

• Do you know that eggs also protect us from cancer, especially breast cancer.

Today, thanks to continuous researches on the health benefits of eggs – we should not feel guilty anymore eating eggs. We should not give up eating eggs. Instead, we should enjoy it. Yes, the so-called cholesterol scare has been rebutted by many studies, reports and researches showing that eating eggs is healthy.

Have a joyful day!

source: mb.com.ph