February 07, 2012
Alright, Rosenberg Wellness Center can't present you a piece of chocolate through the computer, but we are able to share some of its advantages with you.
First and foremost, chocolate is good for you, especially the dark chocolate kind. Really! Could that be why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are bought for Valentine's Day? (1) Not really, but your New York City chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its main 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 found in cocoa beans decreases cell damage in heart disease and help reduce blood pressure. (4,6)
- Moderate (not overly indulgent!) consumption of dark chocolate offers blood pressure lowering 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 findings are why Rosenberg Wellness Center 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 enhanced with a piece of chocolate?!
Rosenberg Wellness Center stands firm 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 New York City chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!