Category Archives: Health & Wellness

The next time you eat a piece of chocolate, do not feel so guilty.  As you may know there are a number of health benefits that come with indulging in this delicious treat.  Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. After the discovery of the Americas, chocolate became very popular in Europe, and its demand exploded.  Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma Cacao tree seeds. The earliest use of chocolate dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica.  The secret behind its powerful punch is cacao, also the source of the sweet’s distinct taste. Study after study proves that dark chocolate—sweet, rich, and delicious—is good for more than curing a broken heart.  But what effects does eating chocolate have on our health?  Below are some of the benefits of chocolate, if taken diligently, can be used to as a medicine rather than a guilty indulgence.

PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease) A  condition producing severe pain when walking any distance, for any length of time.  This Study closely looked at patients who consumed 40 grams of 85% chocolate and it was found that only after 2 hours patients were able to significantly increase both their distance and walking speed!  Why would this work?  The principle cause of PAD is actually restricted blood flow in the peripheral arteries, and high cocoa chocolate can measurably improve blood flow.  Also, another reason for chocolate’s pain reducing properties is that – like the drugs naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin – the cocoa in chocolate is strongly anti-inflammatory with a lot less side effects like stomach ulcers and gastric erosions.

Brain Power Next time you’re under pressure on a work project, don’t feel so guilty about grabbing a dark chocolate bar from the vending machine. Not only will it help your body ward off the effects of stress, but it’ll boost your brain power when you really need it. Other researchers from Oxford University and Norway looked at chocolate’s long-term effects on the brain by studying the diets of more than 2,000 people over age 70. They found that those who consumed flavanol-rich chocolate, wine, or tea scored significantly higher on cognitive tests than those who didn’t.

Diarrhea Relief Both South American and European cultures have a history that dates back to the 16th century of treating diarrhea with cocoa. Modern-day science has shown they were onto something.  Scientists at the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute found that cocoa flavonoids bind to a protein that regulates fluid secretion in the small intestine, potentially stopping the trots in their tracks.

Helps PMS Craving certain foods, such as chocolate, at that time of the month is for a reason, chocolate releases calming endorphins that reduce anxiety. Plus, it’s high in magnesium which lifts moods and reduces water retention. But overindulging in sugar, salt and caffeine can backfire, causing bloating and fluid retention (not to mention weight gain). Try one of these recipes to get your chocolate fix the healthy way:

• Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger
• Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bites
• Spicy Chocolate Energy Bars

Improve Your Skin London researchers recently tested chocolate flavanols’ sun-protecting prowess. After 12 weeks eating chocolate with high levels of flavanols, their study subjects’ skin took twice as long to develop that reddening effect that indicates the beginning of a burn.  The compounds in chocolate act as UV filters,  after 12 weeks, the chocolate eaters’ skin was 16 percent denser and 42 percent less scaly. So the next time you indulge in the world’s most popular treat,  do it wisely and enjoy the benefits!

Everyone knows the easy and fast way to lose weight without work is to speed up your metabolism!  This is very true but it’s time separate the truths from the myths.  You may not realize it, but when you are bumming around on the couch; your body is working hard to burn calories.  The key is to speed it up so it is burning the maximum number of calories!

Men tend to burn more calories than women, even while resting. And for most people, metabolism slows steadily after age 40. Although you can’t control your age, gender, or genetics, there are other ways to improve your metabolism.

Here are 10 easy ways to increase your metabolism.

1.  Eat Breakfast, but it must be within an hour of waking up!  Your metabolism has been in rest mode all night and breakfast is the best way to rev it up!  Eat foods with high fibre and protein like whole grain, low fat milk, eggs and berries will give your metabolism the kick start it needs to start the day.

2.  Eat Constantly, listen to your stomach, if its growling it needs fuel.  Not providing your body with food is a surefire way to slow down its basic functions.  Eating high-fiber, high-protein snacks like low-fat cheese, fiber crackers, fruits, veggies, or Greek yogurt.  Starving your body will sabotage all of your dieting efforts.

3.  Keep Hydrated – Yes it does sound like a broken record but it’s really important.  You need to stay hydrated for your body to function correctly.  Colder is better, Your body burns more calories in colder temperatures because it has to work harder to keep you warm—so by drinking cold water, you end up burning more than if you guzzled room-temp H20,” says Lisa Gain, Ph.D., evolutionary biologist and founder of snack-girl.com.

4.  Relaxation & Destress Yourself – Stress raises the amount of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a hormone that tells the body to hold onto fat in case of a stressful situation.  Experiment with yoga or meditation or a few hours at Vixen® Nails & Spa are ways to lower stress levels and clear your mind.

5.  Sleep – Don’t forget your Zzzz’s!  – Getting a least seven to eight hours of sleep every night is crucial to a healthy metabolism. Anything less can adversely affect your body’s ability to burn calories.  However, excess sleep may do the same thing. It’s best to keep a consistent bedtime and wake up close to the same time every morning.

6.  Spicy Foods – Some studies suggest that eating spicy foods may boost your metabolism—so top your meals with chili peppers and Tabasco. Bonus: Spices are naturally fat-free, so there’s no need to stress about calorie counts.

7.  Sunlight – Research shows that when a person spends long periods of time in a darkened, dull environment, it stimulates the same physiological functions in the body as gaining weight and sleep. The best daylight hours are between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so make it a point to get up from your desk and take a brisk walk outside.   Aside from soaking up rays, you’ll rev up your heart rate and benefit from the fresh air.

8.  Vitamin C – Vitamin C and calcium are partners in crime when it comes to your metabolic rate. Calcium speeds up metabolism, while vitamin C helps the body absorb this mineral, creating an overall win-win situation.

9.  Green Tea – Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants called catechins. And, in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking green tea combined with a total of three hours of moderate exercise a week reduced abdominal fat in subjects over a three-month period.

10.  Get Omega 3’s – Omega-3s balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation, helping to regulate metabolism. They may also reduce resistance to the hormone leptin, which researchers have linked to how fast fat is burned.  Fish such as tuna and salmon contain oil that increases leptin, which is a hormone responsible for controlling appetite.

Implement some of these strategies and speed up your metabolism today!