February 07, 2012
Alright, Aurora Chiropractic Center can't present you a piece of chocolate via the computer, but we can share some of its advantages with you.First and foremost, chocolate is good for you, especially the dark chocolate kind. We could believe it either! Is that why why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day? (1) Probably not, but your Juneau chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its principal ingredient, cocoa, have advantageous results for your heart, mind and body.
- Cocoa has around 4 times higher antioxidant capacity than green tea and twice that of red wine. (2) The anti-oxidant flavanols found in cocoa beans reduce cell damage in heart disease and help lower 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 larger magnesium content in dark chocolate may 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 discoveries are why Aurora Chiropractic Center 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 cheered with a piece of chocolate?!
Aurora 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 Juneau chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!