Eat chocolates to stay healthy and
happy
It’s a well known fact that too much consumption of sugar
is bad for health. But a little bit of sugar in moderation isn’t as terrible as
one thought, say researchers. The sweet delicacies not only help in preventing
ageing and ensuring proper blood flow but they also help in losing weight and
making you happy.
It’s that time of the year when chocolates are everywhere,
so enjoy the delicacies without thinking twice as some of the research
conducted by different brands suggests that chocolate can be good for you too,
reports mirror.co.uk.
·
Cocoa helps in
blood flow: The main
ingredient in chocolate contains a wonderful antioxidant called flavanol, which
is found in plants. Scientists at head quarters of chocolate brand Mars Bar
teamed up with the University of L’Aquila in Italy to find that these
antioxidants can increase blood flow to the brain. The higher the cocoa content
in your chocolate, the better it is for you.
·
Brain power: Scientists discovered you could have the brain power
you had 20 years ago, if you consume plenty of flavanol-rich cocoa. To make the
most of its health benefits, stick to ‘healthy’ variants with at least 70
percent cocoa.
·
Prevents ageing: The antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables,
which help fight free-radicals that lead to wrinkles, are just as potent in
cocoa-rich chocolate. Some research suggests that chocolates could be even more
beneficial than fruit, because of their higher antioxidant level.
·
Makes you happy: Research published in the scientific journal
Nutritional Neuroscience has suggested that chocolates can boost your mood and
reduce symptoms of depression. Chocolates are also high in magnesium, which
aids relaxation, and contain anandamide, a neurotransmitter that helps to
regulate mood.
·
Lowers your
cholesterol: Scientists
believe that regular consumption of high cocoa-content chocolates can help
lower your cholesterol and improve blood pressure. It’s all thanks to flavanols
and plant sterols — both of which increase the flexibility of veins and
arteries.
·
Losing weight: The good news is that you don’t have to give up your
favourite sweet treat to slim down. Having a little bit of dark chocolate helps
reduce the craving for other naughty foods, making it easier to stick to your
diet. Eating a piece of chocolate each day or a whole chocolate bar one-two
times a week is fine.
16.12.2014
Why pre-school kids must undergo
annual vision screening
According to recommendations by National Center for
Children’s Vision Health, US, children between age 36 and 72 months -should get
their vision screened every year. The recommendation comes after the revelation
that many children with early eye problems do not get appropriate
screening to identify for correcting refractive error (vision problems
requiring glasses), amblyopia (‘lazy eye’) and strabismus (a disorder of eye
alignment).
An earlier study conducted by Advance Eye Hospital and Institute, Navi
Mumbai by Dr Vandana Jain revealed that eye problems in kids is on the rise.
The study noted that almost 20% of all school children suffer from
diminished vision. Now-a-days, use of computers and smart phones are not
new to kids. Further, outdoor gaming zones and indoor video games contribute to
deterioration of their eye health. Being too young to realise their problem,
most of the kids refuse to wear glasses or visit an ophthalmologist, which
affects their performance at school. Therefore, kids need to get their vision
checked before entering school. Quick diagnosis and referral to an eye care
professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist) can have major implications
for school readiness and child development, the authors said.
According to the study authors evidence-based test
methods followed by effective referral and follow-up can help identify
eye problems in kids immediately. ‘Unfortunately, many children receive
neither appropriate screening to help identify those who need immediate eye
attention, nor a comprehensive examination by an eye care professional prior to
beginning school,’ said Anthony Adams, editor-in-chief of Optometry and Vision
Science that published the study.
16.12.2014
Wise people plan actions, they
don’t plan results
Denis Waitley
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