We all enjoy indulging in a treat from time to time. But did you know that certain treats are actually good for you? Allowing 200-300 calories daily for treats fits very well in a healthy eating plan. So…what treats are delicious and also provide health benefits? How about chocolate and wine? There is good evidence that both can provide health benefits. Dark chocolate and particularly red wine contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce LDL cholesterol which is the ‘bad’ cholesterol. Wine has also been shown to increase HDL or the ‘good’ cholesterol about 12% and help reduce the incidence of hardening of the arteries according to the American Heart Association. The type of chocolate you eat makes a difference. It should contain at least 70% cocoa to benefit the heart.
There is also some evidence that chocolate and wine can improve brain function, especially in seniors who consumed a bit of each daily compared to those who did not.
So how much should you consume? For wine, 2 glasses a day for men and one glass for women (5 ounces). As for the chocolate, as little as ½ ounce provides benefits.
If you do not currently drink, starting to drink wine is not always the best option. Dark grape juice has been shown to provide heart health benefits as well. And remember that excess alcohol consumption negates any benefits you might see from moderate consumption.
So enjoy a little wine and chocolate and know you are getting a health benefit! For more information on heart health, check out the American Heart Association website at www.americanheart.org .