Originally published June 26 2005
Dietician: Some indulgences are actually heart healthy in moderation
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to the Hollister Free Lance, dietician Jennifer Zapata says indulgences like dark chocolate, red wine and even coffee can actually help keep your heart healthy if consumed sparingly.
Each time you gulp a cup of coffee, sip a glass of red wine or nibble on some dark chocolate, not only does your mouth smile, your heart does, too.
For years, millions of health-conscious Americans diligently avoided the three foods, thinking they were doing their bodies a favor.
But research has shown that consuming the delights - in moderate amounts, of course - may yield health benefits, most notably keeping a healthy heart.
First, flavonoids reduce the production of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, commonly referred to as bad cholesterol.
Second, flavonoids boost high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, also known as good cholesterol.
Jennifer Zapata, a registered dietitian at Hollister's Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, said studies have shown that it's not just red wine that may decrease the risk of heart disease, but any form of alcohol.
The specific substance found in the antioxidants of the skin of red grapes, called resveratol, also may inhibit tumor development in some cancers, Zapata said.
In addition to flavanols, cocoa contains magnesium, iron, zinc and copper.
However, dark chocolate's milk and white counterparts don't share the same health benefits, said Karmen Paley-Blount, a clinical dietitian at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy.
Even so, dark chocolate still contains a significant amount of calories - about 85 to 110 per ounce.
So before popping a box of truffles in the assumption you're being healthy, consider how much chocolate you should be consuming, the dietitians said.
Six of the studies showed that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80 percent less likely to develop Parkinson's disease.
"There was a concern that the caffeine might impact blood pressure and possibly increase the risk of heart failure.
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