Health Update: Have Your Chocolate and Eat It, Too!

According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis & Haemostasis, a report released on August 10, 2005 elaborates how "Cocoa is the New Red Wine..."

In Southampton, England, a research team headed by Dr. Denise O'Shaugnessy, presents new evidence that drinking a cup of cocoa is benefiicial in the prevention of potentially life-threatening strokes and heart attacks. Per Dr. O'Shaugnessy, "Cocoa contains a substance called flavenoids, which are also present in red wine. Flavenoids can be preventive for coronary heart disease..."1

What exactly are "Flavenoids?" Flavenoids are chemical antioxidants that help to lower cholesterol levels. Not only effective in boosting immune systems, flavenoids help in the fight against heart disease, support weight control, and can even shield against some cancers.

Cocoa powder and chocolate, especially, contain sources that are rich in high quality polyphenol. According to one Dutch study, research discovered that chocolate contained a rich source of polyphenol flavenoid catechin -- which had four times the amount found in tea!2

In addition to cocoa and chocolate, apples and grapes are great sources for flavenoids. Some other good flavenoid sources include: blueberries, cranberries, hazelnuts, pecans, pintos, pistachios, plums, red kidney beans and small red beans.

Guilt-free chocolate? Perhaps. Like all dietary consumption, certain foods are best used in moderation and should never replace the advice of a professional practitioner.

To learn more about flavenoids or natural wellbeing and health, feel free to peruse our Holistic and Naturopathic directories at Holistic Junction today.

References:

The XXthCongress of the International Society on Thrombosis & Haemostasis: Media Release: Cocoa is the New Red Wine

World Cocoa Foundation: Antioxidants/Arts IC, Hollman PC, Kromhourt D. Chocolate as a source of tea flavonoids. Lancet, 1999; 354:488

Health Bulletin: Using Foods Instead of Drugs for Health

Copyright 2005 -- All Rights Reserved
Health Update: Have your Chocolate and Eat it, too!
Report by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot

About the Author: C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations Director & Writer for Holistic Junction -- Your source of information for Holistic Practitioners; Naturopathic Schools, Massage Therapy Schools, and Reflexology Schools; Alternative Healthcare; Insightful Literature and so much more!

NOTICE: Article may be republished free of charge as long as Author Resource Box (above) is included, and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN in tact and active.

---

What is the Cause?

The question most people think they need an answer to is what is the cause of their this or that? Many people pay it lip service, but what is cause really? Going with... Read More

Heart Health ? Fish Oils To The Rescue

In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming more common, lets take a look at something most of us can add to our weekly diet for prevention of heart problems.Omega 3... Read More

Snack Attack - How to Keep Your Hunger Between Meals from Getting the Best of You

The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but snacks aren't necessarily bad for you.In fact, mini-meals several times a day can be beneficial.If eating a healthy snack keeps you from taking... Read More

Do You Eat Breakfast?

It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important part of attaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The morning meal enables your body to refuel itself after enduring a nightlong fast or... Read More

The Skinny on Salt

Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of the earliest known writings, the Chinese Png-tzao-kan-mu, mentioned more than 40 types of salt.This work was written over 4700 years ago. Even older... Read More

Take Back Your Life 5

In parts 1-4 of this series of articles titled "Take Back Your Life", we discussed what could be considered the four wheels of the human wellness vehicle. We discussed the importance of proper... Read More

Nutrition - Its Whats Eating You That Counts

"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that counts."Before we talk about food, the most important nutrients we put in our bodies are air and water. Forget about air if you... Read More

Why Many Fat Free Diets Do Not Work

Most people understand that it is wise to limit the amount of fat grams in their daily diet. The dietary reference intake amount for an adult ranges from 20% to 35%[i] of daily... Read More

7 Things To Your Health

Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways you can measure and quantify symptoms and disease, the only way to be healthy is to add to your health. So what adds... Read More

Things You Should Know about Vitamin K?s Unique Power

How well do you know about vitamin K? This vitamin is probably not as popular as other vitamins. But still you need this vitamin for your health. So, never underestimate vitamin K! Without... Read More

What is Organic Food?

"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed countries.In the U.S, all farms or products claiming to be "certified organic" must be guaranteed by a USDA-approved independent agency to be meeting... Read More

Bye Bye Holidays and Holiday Eating

Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and relaxing mix of Holiday eventfulness or lack thereof. Whatever it was that you did, that it most suited your moods and needs. Since... Read More

Beauty Foods That Will Keep You Young and Healthy

You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within. Well, now nutritional experts have confirmed that you really are what you eat.Forget French fries and fatty hamburgers. If you want to look... Read More

Why You Should Eat Healthier

Every where you look you see articles or news or stories on how America is overweight. This probably doesn't surprise anyone, as you only have to take a quick look around to see... Read More

The Benefits of Iodine

Initially discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard Courtois, knowledge of this substance has come to include the host of benefits it brings to the body as an essential nutrient. For... Read More

Missing Link to the Immune System

For decades science has been looking for the answers to our health problems in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates have long been overlooked - thought just to be energy or calories and play no... Read More

Your Target of Health is Easy

Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called health, yet have no idea what it would look like if we had it. We are going after this elusive thing, but we... Read More

Green Tea, or not to Green Tea?

Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start again, I think it's great that Oprah is the communicator to the masses that she is, without her or her influence, we would... Read More

Herbs that Heal Naturally

The word herb is used to refer to any part of a plant used for flavoring or medicine. Herbs for relaxation so sleep will come, and relieving pain or water retention have the... Read More

Surrender To The Spell Of The Pyramid

Food in general has the distinction of being probably the first thing we all think about in the mornings before our feet hit the floor. The main reason for this is we cannot... Read More

Nutrient Requirements of Women in Sport

Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly comparable way. As volume and intensity of training increases, so does aerobic capacity and hence performance. Body composition tends to change, whether male... Read More

Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 2)

DeathDeath. Why it happens? Why do we die? Why do animals die? Why do plants die? What is the need of this? In my opinion mechanism of death was selected during Evolution.From the... Read More

Dont Allow Your Food To Control You

Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live without eating however, IS the problem. If you're stranded on a desert island without food, what would you do? Your body can survive... Read More

Blueberry Picking Techniques

First of all you have to have a bucket. You will soon want to have a few with you as the berries are so good that you never get enough, especially when you... Read More

Diet and Eczema

Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may play a role in triggering eczema. It has only been in recent years that doctors and health professionals have become aware of the... Read More

Good Fat Diet or How to Choose the Best Foods for Your Family?

Some fats are good for you. Your body can't function without them. Those fats help you to absorb nutrients. You can even have a fat-intake deficiency, when you are not getting enough of... Read More

Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil -- Why Is It Different?

A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to a startling conclusion that taking high-dose fish oils, which are very rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, helps support a healthy heart, a healthy... Read More

True Culprits of High Cholesterol

What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk may be two of the biggest culprits in skyrocketing rates of high cholesterol? Cholesterol is actually being produced by our own bodies all... Read More

The Liquid Vitamin Mineral Approach

Liquid vitamin mineralThe liquid vitamin mineral dietary supplement is a must have for maximum vitality and health. In today's fast food environment most of us do not get the proper balance of food... Read More