Valentine's Healthy Treat

On Valentine's Day mailboxes are filled full of Valentine treats that make the mouth water. In no time at all a majority of us eat our chocolate prizes at first site. However, this takes a toll on the body.

Chocolate generally eaten is just pretty packaged, good tasting added ingredients, loads of sugar and fat to taste good. The only chocolate that is truly good for the heart is dark chocolate which has flavanols (compounds found in grapes, apples, tea, and the plant/foods). These dark chocolates 70% or higher of flavenoids and flavenols (usually found in cocoa) have been proven to keep blood healthy and prevent cell damage and inflammation. However it is argued by many health professionals that the high calories of chocolate offset any potential health gain. All in all, one should treat chocolate as a treat not a medicine for ones’ heart.

Another fact about chocolate came from a research report at the University of Indiana on elite cyclists. A potential benefit of the cocoa bean found in chocolate can possibly speed of muscle recovery time. The cyclists who drank chocolate milk in between races recovered more quickly than those who didn’t.

According to CNN reporter Marjory writes, “Preliminary research at West Virginia’s Wheeling Jesuit University suggests chocolate may boost your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain.” That is good news to hear right before a big exam.

Basically the higher the percent of cocoa the higher the benefits. That is why we find the European dark chocolates that contain high percentages of cocoa are actually more beneficial health-wise than our own American calorie packed.

After Valentine’s day exercise estimates:

• Food: Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
  Amount: 1
  Calories: 45
  Walk: 12 Minutes
• Food: Russell Stover Dark Truffle
  Amount: 1
  Calories: 80
  Walk: 21 Minutes
• Food: Hershey’s Almond Kiss
  Amount: 1
  Calories: 25
  Walk: 6 Minutes
• Food: Chocolate-Covered Cherries
  Amount: 1
  Calories: 55
  Walk: 14 Minutes
• Food: Russell Stover Butternut Crunch
  Amount: 1
  Calories: 200
  Walk: 52 Minutes
• Food: Heart Shaped Box
  Amount: 8 candies
  Calories: 600
  Walk: 155 Minutes

Chocolate may be healthy, but it is a treat none-the-less. Habits that should be used in college when considering eating them would be:

1) After exercise or a good exam grade

2) After eating healthy food

3) When studying (to congratulate yourself for doing it)

4) Put it in a hidden place. Besides hiding it from yourself, when people see it they probably will ask to have a piece. It is best to keep chocolate out of site for the saying, “out of site out of mind”. If you are optimistic when you take the chance in leaving it out and someone asks, give the piece over knowing it is fewer calories that you can’t chomp on later.

5) Give it to a friend (if you feel generous and don’t want the temptation at all).

It is argued by many health professionals that the high calories of chocolate offset any potential health gain. All in all, one should treat chocolate as a treat not a medicine for ones’ heart. It is best to remember for next year's Valentine treats is to find chocolates that contain refined sugar (raw sugar or cane juice on the label) or cocoa. Any additions like caramel contain no health benefits.

Information From and/or more information:

Stay Healthy This Valentine's Day: Eat Chocolate
http://media.www.thepawprint.net/media/storage/paper694/news/2007/02/14/Health/Stay-Healthy.This.Valentines.Day.Eat.Chocolate-2717202.shtml
Valentine's Day Health Odds and Ends
http://www.kpic.com/news/health/15370501.html