Live healthy and long
Repost from Newsmax health by Sylvia Booth Hubbard | August 11, 2013
Some candies are said to be harmful to health; they cause early tooth decay, and furobacteria which could be bad for the health. But two candies, dark chocolate and peppermint have plenty of health benefits:
1.
Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Eating dark chocolate regularly according to British Medical Journal reduced risk of
stroke by 49% and heart attack by 39%. This is because of the flavonoids in dark chocolate;
2.
Anti depressant - chocolate contains both
serotonin and
phenylethylethiamine (PEA) that both enhance mood.
3.
Longevity - a study by Harvard School of Public Health found out that those who ate candies (chocolate) several times a month, lived a year longer than those who did not. This could be due to the
phenol, found also in red wine. The scientist speculated that phenol reduced the oxidation of low density cholesterol lipoprotein, and enhance immune function
4
Diabetes - chocolate increased the level of HDL (good cholesterol) called
glabridin in diabetic patients. Thus it is suggested by researcher Steve Atkin of University of Hull, that chocolate should be part of sensible diet of diabetic. Flavonoids in licorice, it was found out, reversed learning and memory problems of diabetic patient.
5.
Coughing - chocolate contains
theobromine that calms down vagus nerve. It can be better than codeine in controlling cough.
6.
Cancer - researchers of affiliate (Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center) of Georgetown University Medical center found chocolate to be good in controlling cancer. A compound in cocoa beans, known as GECGC was found to be most effective in fast growing cancer of colon, cervical and leukemia, and at doses one eats.
Read more on chocolate, candies health benefits
From independent: health benefits of chocolate
Pentameric procynanidin stops Cancer - post at Livestrong
On Catechins in chocolate, study at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
