Chocolate And Walnuts: Good For The Health

By Connie Limon

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 Representative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet.



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