Chocolate Helps Improve Blood Flow Reduce Heart Disease

Chocolate Helps Improve Blood Flow Reduce Heart Disease: "Eating dark chocolate may not leave you with the feeling of guilt anymore. Greek researchers say they have evidence that shows chocolate improves the function of blood vessels, which in turn helps prevent dangerous blood clots and can help to reduce heart disease"

Before we all start celebrating this news, I would warn you that there are probably better sources of the flavanoids (for example grape juice). Moreover, when made into candy, the dark chocolate is high in sugar, fat, and calories. So it is not license to eat unlimited amounts, but that said, it is better than most candy. :)

Remember however, that the heart protecting effect was found only in dark chocolate (not milk chocolate).

Source:

Sugary Soft Drinks Fuel Obesity, Diabetes Rates, Study Says

Bloomberg.com: "Diabetes was 80 percent more likely to develop in women who drank one can a day than in those who shunned the drinks" So says a study that appeared in the August 25th Journal of the American Medical Association.

While this is popular with the Soft Drink Industry who is claiming the "study's conclusions were not scientifically sound and that the focus should be on the unhealthy lifestyles and weight gain that can lead to diabetes not soft drinks."

While there is some truth in the soft drink industry's claim that it is the obesity, not the soft drink that is the problem, the study does confirm what many have known for years: that excess sugar consumption is bad for you. As the Washington Times reports " The study in JAMA is at least the second this year to link the increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup to the rapid rise in obesity in this country. High-fructose corn syrup is found in almost all non-diet soft drinks and most fruit drinks"
Washington Times

So rather than have that pop/softdrink or sugary fruit punch, why not have 100% fruit juice (OJ, Grape Juice, grapefruit juice), water, or tea. In the long run you will be glad you did!


Source:
Bloomberg
Yahoo
Washington Times


For the softdrink Industry's view: Yahoo

BBC NEWS ---MOre evindecne that Blueberries are good for you!

BBC NEWS %7C Health %7C Blueberries %27lower cholesterol%27

Not only are blueberries high in antioxidants, a new study suggest that they reduce levels of bad cholesterol. :)

I think I will have some in my oatmeal today!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3591384.stm

Study finds that Vitamin E Wards Off Colds in Elderly

Have you taken your vitamins?

An interesting study by Simin Meydani of Tufts University finds that "Vitamin E supplements ward off colds in the elderly and may help some seniors avoid upper respiratory tract infections."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&e=1&u=/nm/20040817/hl_nm/health_vitamin_dc

HI and Welcome to the Park and Shop Blog

Hi everyone. Welcome to the Park and SHop blog. It will be a means of communicating new products, key events, as well as health and Nutritional infomation thatmatter to you.

I hope you like it!

Jimmy