For as long as we can remember, people have associated a box of chocolates with Valentine’s Day.
But did you know that eating dark chocolate is actually good for you? Here at 12 Oaks Dental, we strive not only to keep you smiling, but to increase your overall health awareness.heart
Dark Chocolates have many health benefits you may not be aware of.
Here are just a few:
Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure, per a study that appears in the Aug 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, dark chocolate can actually lower your blood pressure.
Antioxidants are Found in Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolates, but not milk chocolate is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants eat up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments. Heart disease is proven associated to periodontal disease.
Improve Cardiovascular Function– known to raise HLD levels, in the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries.
Protect Your Skin Against Sun Damage -the flavanols found in dark chocolate can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration.
Improve Brain Function – is known to improve cognitive function in the elderly with mental impairment. It also contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which may improve short term brain function.
So, go ahead and treat yourself and your Valentine to a box of dark chocolates this year, you may have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things, but the benefits of chocolate may just be what the doctor ordered! Of course, great brushing habits and regular dental visits with our hygienists are a must!
So, have some chocolate today! We are! Happy Valentine’s day!!
