Health Tips in the News

I've run across a bunch of little health tips lately and thought I'd share.

• 50 chocolate chips a day keeps the doctor away: Dark chocolate provides the highest antioxidant benefit of any food, including fruits and veggies. Pecans came in second with 14% less antioxidant punch. Red wine, a perennial favorite, was in the middle of the pack with 25% fewer antioxidants than dark chocolate. Antioxidants lower blood pressure, decrease diabetes risk, eliminate cancer-causing carcinogens, reduce the risk of blood clots, stabilize cholesterol levels and enhance cognitive function. Look for chocolate with a high percentage (70%+) of cocoa. (Bitter is better!) Recommended dose for maximum antioxidant benefit is 1.6 oz. or 50 dark chocolate chips. Now that's a diet plan I can get behind!
  
• Prevent gum disease: Brush, floss, swish your mouth twice a day with anti-gingivitis mouthwash (Listerine or an equivalent generic) and eat at least 2 ounces of yogurt (or other dairy product) a day. A new study in Japan shows that insufficient calcium in the diet increases the risk of periodontal disease.
  
• Lose weight to beat cancer: New research indicates a link between numerous types of cancer and excess pounds. Being overweight increases your risk for cancer of the colon, kidney, breast, esophagus, thyroid and a few others. Researchers suspect that extra fat cells may change hormone levels, increasing the risk of cell mutation. (Yes, you can eat dark chocolate and lose weight. Without all the sugar, dark chocolate has fewer calories than milk chocolate or semi-sweet. Just remember, quantity counts!)