February 07, 2012
Alright, Satterwhite Chiropractic can't present you a piece of chocolate through the computer, but we do have the power to share some of its perks with you.Principally, chocolate is good for you, especially the dark chocolate kind. Honest! Is that why why 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day? (1) Not really, but your Oxford chiropractor hopes you get one full of dark chocolates!
Chocolate and its main ingredient, cocoa, have advantageous results for your heart, mind and body.
- Cocoa has about 4 times greater antioxidant capacity than green tea and twice that of red wine. (2) The anti-oxidant flavanols located in cocoa beans lowers cell damage in heart disease and help reduce 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 might help with 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 Satterwhite 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?!
Satterwhite Chiropractic 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 Oxford chiropractic visit. Contact us now to set that up before all the chocolate hearts start arriving!