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February 14, 2005
Valentine's Day: Good for your heart's health
Wining and dining has long been a Valentine Day's tradition, but now there may be more reasons to clink glasses.
The stuff of Valentine's day may be good for your heart in more ways than one - chocolate, red wine and expressions of love can in fact be good for your heart's health, latest researches show.
Chocolate, red wine and love can play a role in keeping the blood flowing throughout the body. However, experts are not yet sure as to how they exactly boost physical fitness.
"It seems a component in cocoa - flavonoids - can be heart healthful," says Susan Moores of American Dietetic Association in an online report.
"Flavonoids are antioxidants which also help lower the level of bad cholesterol and increase the amount of good cholesterol," says Moores.
Alcohol (in moderate amount) has a blood thinning effect and that was found to be effective against stroke and heart disease, says another researcher Cynthia Sass in the report.
"The evidence is also very strong that good relationships have health benefits," says Blair Justice, professor emeritus, University of Texas School of Public Health.
However, Dr Samir Parikh, a psychiatrist says "happiness and good health is not day specific. Any celebration or happy event, a social gathering or fun and enjoyment with friends and family can keep a person stress free and his heart healthy."
Posted by Lisa at February 14, 2005 8:45 AM
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