|
Chocolate, you are simply divine!
If God had wanted women to be perfect, he wouldn't have invented
chocolate. Creating a food as sumptuously soothing, as voluptuously
velvety as chocolate, was a rotten trick to play, especially on us
nutritionists who are supposed to abstain at all times. . . apart from
Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Birthdays, Unbirthdays
and . . . I'm sure I'll think of something.
There is no end to our wickedness where chocolate is concerned. We
shamelessly turn out our partners' pockets, not for signs of infidelity
but the tag-end of an antique chocolate bar and are prone to making rash
promises if only he will go out to replenish our dwindling supplies at
all hours and in all weathers. Real heroes always comply, just like the
chap in the famous Milk Tray ad, for there is no greater fury to behold
than a woman deprived of her favourite chocolate.
But is it good for us, can we delude ourselves that candy is dandy? The
cocoa bean contains several important minerals including magnesium,
copper, zinc and iron. Women suffering from PMS are notoriously
deficient in magnesium and often can't control their cravings for
chocolate at that time. It also contains phenylethylamine, a potent
stimulant which produces a sense of euphoria, lending some credence to
the view that chocolate is an effective aphrodisiac.
In addition, it's an excellent source of flavonoids, a group of plant
chemicals with powerful antioxidant properties. Flavonoids reportedly
decrease the oxidation of LDL cholesterol which is a major risk factor
for heart disease. The oxidation of cholesterol contributes to a
build-up of arterial plaque and may clog up our arteries. Flavonoids can
slow down the process and help to strengthen the walls of blood vessels
themselves.
Having explored the many positive aspects of my heavenly confectionary,
I'd better come clean about its dark side: it's choc-a-bloc with sugar
as well as saturated and hydrogenated fats. These ingredients only serve
to increase dietary risk factors for heart disease and obesity, not to
mention PMS. So, always look at the labels: products containing a
minimum of 70% or more cocoa solids are the healthiest. Whenever cocoa
is listed after sugar and fat, it is best avoided.
The Aztec Emperor Montezuma (1480-1520) said chocolate is 'the divine
drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this
precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.'
Perhaps God knew what he was doing after all.
Martina Watts is a qualified Nutritional Therapist at the Crescent
Clinic of Complementary Medicine (Tel: 01273-202221) and the Dolphin
House Clinic (Tel. 01273-324790) Brighton or visit
www.thehealthbank.co.uk
|
Bach
 Healing
Herbs English Flower Remedies
Five Flower Formula Rescue
Remedy. One of our new range of Bach Healing Herbs -
a combination of Bach Flower Essences that
may be specially beneficial when you find yourself in a traumatic situation,
e.g.
Follow this link to find out more about these remarkable products.
|
