February 07, 2012
Ok, Minster Chiropractic Center can't give you a piece of chocolate through the computer, but we can share some of its perks with you.Principally, chocolate is good for you, especially the dark chocolate kind. Really! Is that why why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are bought for Valentine's Day? (1) Probably not, but your Minster chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its primary ingredient, cocoa, have advantageous results for your heart, mind and body.
- Cocoa has roughly 4 times greater antioxidant capacity than green tea and twice that of red wine. (2) The anti-oxidant flavanols encountered in cocoa beans decreases cell damage in heart disease and help reduce blood pressure. (4,6)
- Moderate (not too much!) 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 can help with 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 Minster Chiropractic Center can live 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?!
Minster Chiropractic Center 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 Minster chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!