Dark Chocolate
You’ve probably heard it before: in moderate amounts, dark chocolate is good for you. You’ve probably read somewhere that it’s full of antioxidants and it’s also good for your heart. While all of this is true, there is even more than what meets the eye when it comes to this scrumptious Valentine’s Day treat.
For one, it’s a fact that dark chocolate is full of vitamins and minerals – potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron – to be exact. Furthermore, it actually helps control blood sugar because of its high levels of flavanols. In a 2012 study conducted at San Diego University, researchers found that dark chocolate actually does more than previously expected in terms of improving cardiovascular health – it actually lowers blood pressure and enhances blood lipid levels.
When most people think of Valentine’s Day, chocolate comes to mind. Remember to choose dark chocolate this year, and your heart will thank you!
Wait a second – we have an added bonus for you. Have you ever heard of theobromine? It’s a bitter plant extract that actually fights cavities. And you guessed it – it’s also found in dark chocolate.
Strawberries
Chocolate covered strawberries are another treat that comes to mind at the thought of Valentine’s Day. While it’s no secret that there are plenty of benefits when it comes to the natural sugars found in fruits, especially strawberries, it’s important to recognize that strawberries are, without a doubt, a superfood.
They are not only packed full of nutrients and antioxidants, they also fight cancer, have anti-aging properties, and can ease arthritis pain. But we’ve known for twenty years now that strawberries fight cancer – but did you know that the phytonutrients and antioxidants in strawberries are so powerful that even freeze-dried strawberries and strawberries extracts are highly beneficial to your health? They’ve been proven to fervently fight cervical, esophageal, and breast cancer.
What do we recommend this year on February 14th? We recommend you splurge on a premium bottle of red wine and create a fondue of dark chocolate with ripe, luscious strawberries. You can’t beat something delectable and healthy on what’s supposed to be the most romantic day of the year.
Did we miss a Valentine’s Day treat that’s also incredibly good for you? Please share it in the comments below.
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/resveratrol-supplements
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/358464-antioxidants-in-dark-chocolate/
- https://experimentalbiology.org/EB2013/pages/upload/file/ASN%20Chocolate%20Orsa.pdf
- https://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/8545/description/Chocolate_Constituent_Bests_Fluoride
- https://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/healthy-eating/10-health-benefits-of-strawberries
- https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/803635/super-health-benefits-of-strawberries