Sweet Indulgence That’s Good For Your Teeth?

rajal — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:34:04 +0000

February seems a perfect time to talk about chocolate. Every one is told that you have to be fit and healthy to be attractive, and in essence that isn’t exactly hard, and the best ways to do this is to eat right and exercise. Working out can be a pretty easy job; there are a ton of resources to find out what to do to get fit and even more resources to give you support as you begin to start your working out, whether it be a fit family member, gym staff, or even your own personal trainer. The difficult part of trying to be fit and healthy is figuring out what to eat. People are different and so what works for one person may not work for someone else, and this makes eating the right foods kind of hard. To take a load off your back, here is an interesting fact: dark chocolate is not just full of antioxidants… the benefits are far greater, and this sweet treat is even recommended by your dentist.

Is dark chocolate good for your teeth?

Dark chocolate is not a natural substance; it is made from cocoa beans. The cool thing about cocoa beans is that they are chalk full of flavonoids. Flavonoids are the source of most of chocolate’s health benefits. For instance, dark chocolate is full of antioxidants, which help protect your cells. Antioxidants are also found in foods like vegetables, grains, and some nuts. Dark chocolate is even good for your heart. Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD concluded that dark chocolate helps reduce high blood pressure by dilating blood-vessels, allowing for greater and easier blood flow. This means lesser blood clotting and smaller rates of suffering from heart attacks and strokes.

Sorry to break it to you, but in past years, your dentist and hygienist may have been a little bit over-reactive when they told you how sweets are the worst thing in the world for your teeth. The staff of Amerident Dental was kind enough to give more information about this sweet treat.“It is really a common misconception; dark chocolate can actually help reduce the risk of getting a cavity,” states Dr. Terry L. Schrubb, DMD. Yes, three pound of gummi bears may not exactly help your teeth, but a bit of dark chocolate can. Alison Jean, RDH, of Amerident Dental, stated, “”There is something in cocoa called polyphenolen. It significantly reduces biofilm, also known as plaque, as well as reducing acid formation from bacteria. Of course, there is some sugar present in dark chocolate, but in moderation, its benefits far outweigh its risks.”

Now, there are a few ground rules when it comes to this delicious health benefit. First off, you are not advised to eat tons and tons and tons of chocolate; too much of anything isn’t good for your health. But, when you do decide to indulge a little bit in a sweet treat, be sure to only buy dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or even higher, depending on your taste. The higher the content, the more flavonoids, the greater the health benefits. Another thing: when eating chocolate, try to avoid chasing it with milk. Milk has been known to inhibit the complete absorption of the antioxidants. Now that you have the facts and some simple ground rules, go forth and indulge. Everyone deserves a sweet break.

Dark Chocolate & Fruit Trail Mix:

For a sweet, but healthy snack to carry around everywhere, just mix equal parts of…

•   Dark chocolate chips
•   Dried cranberries
•   Dried banana
•   Pretzels
•   Chex cereal (plain or cinnamon)

This treat is a healthy way to stay full. The fiber in the fruits helps subside hunger, but the vitamins and minerals from the fruit and the chocolate give you a healthy boost that may be just right for the 2:30 p.m. hungry feeling.

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alison — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:36:51 +0000

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