Bite This, Not That

Valentine's Day Chocolate

Just when you think the celebrating has ended, along comes Valentine's Day conjuring up visions of conversation hearts and red velvet boxes filled with chocolate. I can't help you with the conversation hearts, but I may have some good news about the chocolate. Our love affair with chocolate started centuries ago when the cocoa plant was referred to as 'the divine food.' Perhaps early scientists knew more about chocolate than we thought. Recent studies found that small amounts of dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity in healthy adults. Why these health benefits occur isn't completely understood, researchers think it's the phenols found in the cocoa plant. They act as antioxidants responsible for relaxing blood vessels leading to lower blood pressure. This pathway may also result in improved insulin sensitivity. But before you start stocking up in the candy aisle there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The positive effects are only found in dark chocolate, not milk or white chocolate are lost if you drink milk with your dark chocolate are realized with just 30 calories a day of dark chocolate (about the size of a Hershey's Kiss). Gorging yourself on dark chocolate won't increase the benefits and the increase in calories could result in a weight gain. have only been tested on 'healthy' adults, not people with high blood pressure or diabetes So this February celebrate Valentine's Day and American Heart Month when you get that heart-shaped box of dark chocolate.

Current Bite This, Not That
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Archived Bite This, Not That
Simply Red! Bite this for better heart health!
Foods High in Palmitic Acid
Holiday Salad
Sound Swaps
For Prostate Cancer Prevention
Packing Kid's Lunch
Combining Foods
Summer Salads
Bite this ... when cooking on the grill
Better Blood Pressure
Snacks
Salad Sense
Valentine's Day Chocolate
Football Party Snacks
Hot Cereals
In Your Face!
Beating Breast Cancer
Fiber-Fortified Foods
High Protein, Post Workout Snacks
Drink This, Not That
Summer Barbeque
What's better to buy and eat; berries or grapes?
What's Lunch Got to Do With It?
There's a new grain in town, and it ain't brown rice!
In a hurry? Grab a bagel and low fat cream cheese for breakfast... it's healthy, right?
Fresh vs. Canned or Frozen