February 07, 2012
Alright, Old Mill Chiropractic can't hand you a piece of chocolate through the computer, but we can share some of its perks with you.First of all, chocolate is good for you, especially the dark chocolate kind. We could believe it either! Could that be why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are bought for Valentine's Day? (1) Probably not, but your St Peters chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its central ingredient, cocoa, have beneficial results for your heart, mind and body.
- Cocoa has almost 4 times greater antioxidant capacity than green tea and twice that of red wine. (2) The anti-oxidant flavanols located 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 lowering effects and anti-inflammatory activity. (3,6)
- The anti-oxidants and the bigger magnesium content in dark chocolate might improve constipation problems 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 Old Mill Chiropractic can accept 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 improved with a piece of chocolate?!
Old Mill Chiropractic is adamant 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 St Peters chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!