February 10, 2013

Health and Fitness

Did you know that one plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana?  Now there's a reason to eat some chocolate!  Here are a few more reasons:

*Chocolate contains antioxidants which help fight cancer.

*Dark chocolate has blood pressure benefits -- studies show it can help lower it.

*Dark chocolate can also help decrease LDL cholesterol (which is not the good kind) if eaten on a regular basis.

*Chocolate is a natural antidepressant because it contains serotonin.  It also activates endorphins (see. . . I told you it was a cure for many things!!) which can add to your happiness.

*Chocolate can also help in preventing tooth decay (who knew?!).

*Chocolate is high in magnesium (which, for many of us, our diets are low in).  In fact, the cacao plant has more magnesium than any other plant.

*Dark chocolate helps promote brain health as well.  It can even aid in improving your memory.

*Chocolate can decrease risk of stroke, may help protect you from sun UV damage, may help quiet your cough and may improve your vision just to name a few more health benefits.

*Last but not least, you may live longer if you eat chocolate.  Studies have shown that if chocolate is consumed on a regular basis, you may have less disease too.  Need proof?  A woman by the name of Jeanne Louise Calment (1875 - 1997) live to be 122 years old and they say she may have lived such a long life because she ate 2.5 pounds of dark chocolate a week.  You can read about her by clicking on this link: http://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/05/world/jeanne-calment-world-s-elder-dies-at-122.html; you can also see her on youtube by clicking on the following link (she is speaking in her native french): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB_yIlnaryg

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