The Chocolate Candy Bar Cure For Your Heart

Not all the news about the things we love to eat and their effect on our health is bad, especially this study done at the University of California Health Sciences Center in San Francisco. California scientists confirm that consuming just a small bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you. It's very good for you, according to UCSF researcher Mary Engler, PhD, RN, and her research team.

Dr. Engler and her colleagues divided a pool of 21 healthy test participants into two groups. The first group was assigned the task of eating a Dove Dark Chocolate bar every day for two weeks. Dove bars are rich in cocoa, a rich source of the plant chemicals known as epicatechins. Epicatechins particularly potent antioxidants from group of compounds called plant flavonoids. Scientists believe epicatechins keep cholesterol from calcifying in blood vessels, keeping them more supple, and less at risk for clots.

The second group of test participants didn't get Dove bars but they did get dark chocolate candy. Their chocolate bars had the healthy epicatechins taken out.

Everyone who participated in the study reported to the clinic for an ultrasound evaluation of the ability of their blood vessels to open wider and relax. Blood vessel dilation is a good indication of endothelial health that maintains normal and healthy blood pressure. The Dove bar eaters experienced significant improvement in endothelial function.

Why would this be? The study doesn't prove the reason beyond any doubt, but the test participants who ate the Dove bars and enjoyed the improved blood pressure also had high concentrations of epicatechin flavonoids in their blood streams.

Dr. Engler told the press that hers was the longest-running clinical trial ever to consider the role of chocolate flavonoids in health. She said that elevated bloodstream concentrations of chocolate epicatechins triggered release of dilating and relaxing chemicals in the lining of the arteries and smaller blood vessels. Better blood flow, Dr. Engler reminded the press, is better for your heart.

By Robert Rister - Sugarless Candy Treats

Healthy Candy Choices at the Candy Store

Yes you can have your cake and eat it too at least when eating candy.

There are many healthy aspects of eating certain kinds of candy. Candy stores and manufacturers are taking full advantage of this to satisfy customer demand. As consumers are looking for healthy choices and better ingredients the candy industry is responding.

Dark chocolate for example has antioxidant properties and this combined with fruits and nuts offers additional health benefits. The use of nuts that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol also contain fiber and various vitamins are clearly a healthy add. The American Peanut council reports that eating one serving of peanuts a day can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Organic peanuts are starting to be used in candy products as well. Many of these nuts are found in the mot popular bulk candy products.

Another popular nut that is used in candy is the almond. The almond not only tastes great but also provides health benefits and helps increase candy shelf life. That is good for the US in particular California where most of the world's supply of almonds is grown. Between 1999 and 2007 almond consumption has doubled in the US. Almonds are high in vitamin E, protein, fiber and calcium and included 13 essential ingredients. They also have a reputation for lowering people's cholesterol. This is similar to peanuts which are also known to be high in protein, vitamin E, fiber and potassium.

Tree nuts such as the very popular Hazelnut are now becoming more poplar. Tree nuts are known to be packed with vitamin C. They are also loaded with antioxidants which are heart healthy.

In an effort to boost candies healthy profile, appeal to the hearts of consumers, manufactures are making healthier candy. So next time you have that sweet tooth look for healthy candy at your local candy store.

By Joel Bernstein - Sugarless Candy Treats