Tag: antioxidants

6 Reasons to Consume More Dark Chocolate!

November 13, 2020

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As if we needed a whole article that gives us more reasons to consume CHOCOLATE!

But I think we don’t give chocolate enough credit for what it can do for us. It deserves a little more time in the spotlight and a deeper dive into the many benefits it offers!

Just 6 of the Benefits of Eating Chocolate!

1. Skin Health – A London research found that eating flavonol-rich chocolate could help prevent damage caused by ultraviolet light. It’s also thought that consuming good chocolate regularly may also reduce skin roughness, enhance hydration and improve blood flow to the skin.

2. Brain Health – Good dark chocolate contains Flavonoids and resveratrol that may play a role in reducing inflammation with the central nervous system and increase blood flow to the brain.

3. Antioxidant Superfood – Did you know that the flavanol content of cocoa powder is significantly greater than all of the other super fruit powders? The antioxidant capacity of dark chocolate is also higher than all of the super fruit juices…only to be outdone by the pomegranate.

4. Heart Health – Just like it can help increase blood flow to the brain, it can also increase blood flow to the heart. The flavanols in chocolate can also help prevent blood platelets from clotting, which could reduce the risk of stroke.

5. Contains Many Nutrients and Minerals – Chocolate is a good source of the necessary minerals and nutrients, such as magnesium, zinc, potassium and even iron.

6. Makes You Feel Good – As if the taste alone didn’t make you feel good…chocolate is also a good source of phenylethylamine, a wonderful chemical that stimulates those feel-good endorphins.

 

The Best Type of Chocolate and What to Look Out For

There is just about no end to the types of chocolate you can find at the store. White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet, flavored chocolates, etc. But not every type of chocolate is a good one and contains all these health benefits we just discovered.

Cocoa Vs. Cacao

You’ve probably heard both of these, and their differences are not limited to their, sometimes confusing, spelling!

Cocoa:

-Made from processed cacao that has been roasted at high temperatures.

-The process destroys the antioxidants in the chocolate.

Cacao:

-Made by cold-pressing un-roasted cacao beans.

-The process preserves all of the antioxidants in the chocolate.

 

While the Hershey’s bars in the candy isle might look tempting, eating them can put your body at risk for many health issues.

Hershey’s and many other popular chocolate brands aren’t really selling chocolate. During the manufacturing process, cocoa butter is mixed with vegetable oils. This is a cheaper way to make the chocolate, but you end up with a product that contains high amounts of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and soy lecithin, which can be dangerous to your health. Soy lecithin contains genetically modified soy, along with soy phytoestrogens that may promote an increased risk of breast cancer in adult women. Studies have shown that soy lecithin can affect immature brain cells, and lead to impeded brain development.

On the flip side: The proper form of dark chocolate contain higher amounts of certain antioxidants than some fruits. Try combining dark chocolate with its highest contender: pomegranate!

 

Study Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038885/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19735513/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16702322/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18045712/

 

An Apple a Day – Health Benefits of Apples and Apple Cider Vinegar

October 15, 2020

Apples. Another fall favorite!

You’ve probably heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. But how true is it? Is it just an old wives tale? Or is there some validity to it?

Health Benefits of Apples

  1. High in Fiber – Every apple contains over four grams of fiber, making it an ultimate high-fiber food. The fiber found in apples helps make you feel full. It’s also important for detoxification.
  2. Digestive Health – The pectin in apples helps regulate the body’s use of sugars and cholesterol. It also helps cleanse the blood and digestive tract. Pectin is considered a natural diuretic. It is a mild laxative that can help combat bloating and uncomfortable water retention.
  3. High in Antioxidants – Apples are a very significant source of flavonoids. They also contain the compounds quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid, which help fight free radicals and have anti-proliferative and beneficial cell-signaling effects.
  4. Vitamin C – You can get about 14 percent of your daily Vitamin C intake from a medium apple. Vitamin C helps to fight free radical damage and protect DNA and cells from mutation and malformation. It is crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism and repairing tissue in the eyes and skin.
  5. Source of Boron – Apples are a great natural source of boron, which is a mineral that is very important for building strong bones, building muscle mass and supporting brain function.
  6. Heart Health – The type of fiber found in apples, pectin, is known for lowering cholesterol levels.

 

Now, unfortunately, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts apples on the Dirty Dozen list. This means that they are high on the list of chemically sprayed fruits and vegetables. In fact, apples were the fruit with the highest number of pesticides! So…you definitely want to buy organic apples when shopping at the grocery store or farmers market.

Is it REALLY that important, though? The short answer…yes!

Many of the antioxidants found in apples are considered delicate. They are preserved best when the apples are eaten raw or lightly cooked. High temperatures can negatively impact an apple’s nutrients. So try to avoid any packaged foods made with apple. And when you use them in your kitchen, keep cooking them to a minimum.

What About Apple Cider Vinegar?

When talking about the health benefits of apples, we can’t overlook one of the best fermented, fast becoming popular health foods: apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar benefits the body in so many ways. It can improve immunity, treat the gut, fight cravings and so much more!

  1. Regulates Blood Sugar – One study showed that consuming apple cider vinegar decreased blood sugar levels on average by about 31% after eating white bread.
  2. Cholesterol – Apple cider vinegar contains chlorogenic acids, which can help lower bad cholesterol by preventing it from accumulating in the bloodstream.
  3. Lower Blood Pressure – The main component in apple cider vinegar, acetic acid, has been shown to reduce blood pressure levels and promote heart health.
  4. Acid Reflux – Drinking apple cider vinegar may help provide relief from acid reflux by introducing more acid into the digestive track and prevent acid backflow.
  5. Skin Health – Vinegar is known to have high antibacterial properties and has been shown to be effective against harmful bacteria. This makes apple cider vinegar pretty effective in reducing scars and improving acne. It also contains specific compound that inhibit the the growth of the strain of bacteria responsible for causing acne.
  6. Disinfectant – Apple cider vinegar has amazing antibacterial properties. This makes it perfect for killing of germs and bad bacteria and keeping your home clean!

 

And, of course, what is a post about apples without ending with a delicious apple recipe!

Apple Cider Recipe

Health Benefits of Your Valentines

February 14, 2019

Valentine background with red satin hearts. Selective focus on t

The gifts we give and receive on Valentines day have great benefits for us emotionally (they make us happy and help show the love we feel for the special people in our lives, and their love for us). But did you know they could have physical benefits, too?

 

Health Benefits of Chocolate:

Dark chocolate. The darker the better. It is a great source of magnesium. It can help improve the health of your heart and your brain and aid in balancing blood sugar. Plus, it is full of antioxidants to build up your body’s defense system!

 

Health Benefits of Roses/Rose Oil:

Roses are worth more than we give credit for. They are more than just a pretty smell or to look beautiful. It can be a wonderful perfume, of course, but it can also improve your mood and attitude and help with hormones.

Using rose oil on the skin can have some great health and beauty benefits, as well.

 

Health Benefits of Strawberries and Cherries:

Just a couple of the favorite Valentines day treat flavors!

Strawberries – Full of antioxidants that help fight inflammation in your body. They are a great source of Vitamin C, can help support your hormones and they are very good for your brain health.

Cherries – High in antioxidants and can also help your body fight inflammation. They can improve heart health and they contain chemicals that can help improve your sleep cycle.

 

And that is just a brief look at a FEW benefits of a FEW things we can enjoy on this day! Kind of gives you a different perspective on your valentines traditions, doesn’t it? Enjoy your treats and have a happy, and HEALTHY, valentines day!