February 07, 2012
Alright, Amelia Chiropractic Clinic can't present you a piece of chocolate through 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! Could that be why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are bought for Valentine's Day? (1) Probably not, but your Fernandina Beach chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its main ingredient, cocoa, have beneficial results for your heart, mind and body.
- Cocoa has about 4 times greater 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 reduce 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 might improve constipation trouble and even speed up bowel movements! (2,5) We chiropractors know that constipation when you have back pain isn't good!
These conclusions are why Amelia Chiropractic Clinic can put up with 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 cheered with a piece of chocolate?!
Amelia Chiropractic Clinic knows 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 Fernandina Beach chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!