The amazing health benefits of Dark Chocolate

photo credit: The Guardian

Do you have a sweet tooth? If you like chocolate, you will be pleased to know that dark chocolate is actually very good for you. Dark chocolate contains heart-healthy phytochemicals which benefit both the mind and the body. There is an abundance of anti-oxidants found in dark chocolate, and an abundance of healthy benefits to gain from eating dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is heart-healthy
If you eat a small amount of dark chocolate a few times a week, it can help lower your blood pressure. Not only that, dark chocolate can improve blood flow and prevent blood clots.

Dark chocolate is healthy for your brain
Dark chocolate has been shown to improve brain function and blood flow. It has also been shown to be a mood stabilizer.

Dark chocolate is full of vitamins and minerals
Dark chocolate contains potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron. These vitamins and minerals help protect you from strokes, cardiovascular diseases, iron deficiency anemia, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

These benefits and many others are a very good reason to indulge in a little bit of dark chocolate.

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The amazing health benefits of beans

Beans, also known as legumes, are a super food that is also good for your heart. With over 33,000 types of beans, it is the second most popular source of protein in the world. Some of the most popular bean types include: kidney beans, navy beans, black beans, and lima beans. Beans contain many nutrients that can help you in maintaining good health.

Beans are jam packed with fiber.
Beans are packed with enough soluble fiber to not only benefit your colon, it can also curb your appetite. The soluble fiber in beans can also help in reducing your cholesterol. During the process of digestion, the soluble fiber grabs bile that contains bad cholesterol, and removes it from the body before it is absorbed. It has been shown that if you eat a cup of cooked beans a day, it can actually lower your cholesterol by 10% in six weeks.

Beans are beneficial for diabetics.
The fiber in beans have been found to create more insulin receptor sites. The insulin molecules connect to the receptor site, which allows the insulin to reach the cells that need it. This will also keep a diabetic's cholesterol low.

Beans can lower your cancer risk.
Beans contain nutrients that can lower your risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. A compound found in beans have been shown to keep normal cells from becoming cancerous. The compound also inhibits cancer growth.

Beans, often called "the poor man's meat," are an excellent source of protein and is budget-friendly. They are also a great source of potassium, iron, and folate.

(previously published by Shauna Silva on Yahoo Contributor Network)

For more on how you can introduce beans into your diet, click on the above photo.

[photo credit:  www.dreamstime.com]