Is Chocolate Really Good For You?

Here’s the facts, folks – according to the latest research, chocolate in moderation (specifically cocoa) has many health benefits. The best kind is dark chocolate, which is usually low in added sugar.

What’s in chocolate that is good for us? Chocolate contains a host of heart-healthy and mood-enhancing phytochemicals, with benefits to both body and mind. For one, chocolate is a plentiful source of antioxidants (polyphenols). These are substances that reduce the ongoing cellular and arterial damage caused by oxidative reactions.The polyphenols in chocolate inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol.Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate daily can reduce blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Research performed at the department of nutrition at the University of California, Davis, found that chocolate thins the blood and performs the same anti-clotting activity as aspirin."Our work supports the concept that the chronic consumption of cocoa may be associated with improved cardiovascular health," said UC Davis researcher Carl Keen.

Chocolate has also long been renown for its remarkable effects on human mood. The mood enhancement produced by chocolate may be primarily due to theobromine ( a close relative to caffeine). Chocolate also boosts brain levels of serotonin. People suffering from depression characteristically have lower serotonin levels.

Why do people buy chocolate at Valentine’s Day? Maybe it’s the phenethylamine in chocolate, which triggers the release of pleasurable endorphins and potentates the action of dopamine, a neurochemical associated with sexual arousal and pleasure. Phenethylamine is released in the brain when people become infatuated or fall in love.

Where to go to purchase high-quality chocolates? I highly recommend my next door neighbor here in the Old Village Square, Jo Jo's Treats and Sweets for some of the finest chocolates this side of the railroad tracks. All of her chocolates are hand-made, and she uses only the best cocoas from around the world. She also has several gift packages with a variety of prices for Valentines Day. So have a little fun this Valentine’s Day, buy your special someone a massage gift certificate and some fine chocolates, or come on in for a massage and enjoy some chocolate afterwards!

*If you have concerns with sugar consumption, or are diabetic, no need to be left out – we carry a very popular dark chocolate bar that has no sugar in it, is sweetened with low calorie all natural xylitol, a diabetic-friendly sweetener from the birch bark tree.

Warm Your Heart With Capsicum

Do you suffer from cold hands and feet, especially during the winter? Try adding some Capsicum (Cayenne Pepper) to your cooking. It is not only good for you, it also helps enhance the flavor of whatever you are cooking. Capsicum has a warming strength. It stimulates digestion and enhances blood flow.

Benefits of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum)

• Provides digestive and circulatory support.
• Helps improve overall circulation.
• Contains 35,000–45,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Herbal Pioneers

Forty years ago, the Nature’s Sunshine Company was born with the encapsulation of capsicum. They were the first company to encapsulate herbs. How did it all begin?

In the early 70s, Gene Hughes, a Utah school teacher, began experiencing a nagging stomach condition. He took the advice of a neighbor who suggested cayenne pepper for his discomfort. It worked! Soon Gene began feeling much better, but swallowing a spoonful of cayenne pepper was awful. That’s when his wife, Kristine, suggested putting the powder into easy-to-swallow gelatin capsules. It was revolutionary! Gene and Kristine soon enlisted the support of family to begin a small family business, selling encapsulated cayenne and other herbs and supplements to health food stores.

The family soon realized they wanted to touch more lives with their products, and they found the perfect vehicle for making this happen—direct marketing. This business model allowed them to educate consumers about the vitamin supplement products and provided their sales force an opportunity to share in the success of the company. Today Nature’s Sunshine Products (NSP) can be found in 30 countries, represented by nearly 600,000 distributors. Click for more Information

Be well, we hope to see you soon!