Chocolate And Walnuts: Good For The Health

Chocolate has antioxidant-rich phytochemicals called flavanols.
Although chocolate have some healthful antioxidants it is still
considered a "treat" food by professional dietitians. It is not
a health food. Walnuts on the other hand are loaded with
nutritional benefits.

Some researchers think the cocoa bean may improve blood flow
and reduce the formation of clots. The Kuna Indians of Panama
are heavy consumers of cocoa. They boast an unusually low amount
of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Harvard researchers
found that chocolate eaters lived a year longer than abstainers.
Most believe chocolate causes acne; this is not true. A small
study done recently suggests the appearance of the skin of
chocolate-eating women showed improvement.

Not all chocolate is good for you. In general, darker chocolate
is better because it contains more flavanols and less sugar than
milk chocolate.

Use cocoa powder that has been dutched to make hot chocolate.
The dutch treatment destroys phytochemicals.

And as for walnuts – well – walnuts are a whole different
story. Walnuts offer substantial cardiovascular benefits. The
FDA allows companies to say on their packaging that eating 1.5
ounces every day can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Walnuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, particularly
alpha-linolenic acid, which helps to raise the good cholesterol.
Researchers have also found that the alpha-linolenic found in
walnuts helps keep your blood flowing smoothly through your
arteries – even after you eat a lot of saturated fats, which can
harden the arteries and potentially contribute to heart attack
and stroke. Fat found in walnuts decrease inflammation in the
arteries and helps keep them flexible.

Walnuts are rich in antioxidants that help rid the body of
unstable molecules called free radicals, which can lead to
cancer. Other benefits of walnuts may include:

•Some protection against the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis

•Good for your teeth in that they help to fight cavities
•Helps increase the feeling of fullness after a meal (try
eating six walnuts twice a day, 30 minutes before lunch and 30
minutes before dinner)

Storing walnuts:

•Store shelled walnuts in the refrigerator in an airtight
container to keep them fresh for up to six months. Freeze them
to last up to a year.
•Store unshelled walnuts in the refrigerator. They will keep
for up to six months in any cool, dark place.

Walnuts and chocolate seem to go good together and both are
good for you. Walnuts and chocolate are both high in calories so
moderation is the key when enjoying either of them. Walnuts seem
to have the most scientific proof of being an excellent health
food especially for the heart. Chocolate is still considered a
"treat" food.

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or
cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always
consult with your health care provider about any kind of a
health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an
exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article
written 3-2007.

About The Author: Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field
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