CHOCOLATE AND ROSES BENEFITS

By Talya Dagan (Chocolate and roses are symbols of Valentines Day and any day requiring romance. And both, chocolate and roses, are good for your health, containing nutrients and vitamins that help lower blood pressure, treat depression, grow healthy hair and skin, and increase immunity.

Health benefits and facts about chocolate

Chocolate contains ingredients that can lower your blood pressure, prevent memory loss, reduce insulin resistance that leads to diabetes, and treat depression. Chocolate contains fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels, and magnesium to calm the nervous system.

The cocoa extract, theobromine, was found to help reduce a chronic cough with the same amount of chocolate contained in two ounces of dark chocolate.

The darker the chocolate, the greater the health benefits. Look for raw or cold processed chocolate, as this type of chocolate will retain more of the antioxidant benefits. Chocolate with 70 percent chocolate in the bar is a good bet.

Health benefits of roses

Roses belong to the same plant family as apples. The rose hips are high in vitamin C, and some varieties of roses produce rose hips as large as a crab apple. Rose petals make a lovely garnish for a salad, and can also be turned into jelly. Rose hip jam and rose hip tea are other great ways to obtain the vitamin C your body needs to improve immunity and prevent colds and flu. Choose roses that have not been sprayed with insecticides, those that 6 • WWW.COASTALDELIGHTSMAG.COM are grown naturally, or at least, those that have had no toxins applied to the leaves and petals.

Learn more about health benefits of roses visit:www. masterclass.com/articles/are-roses-edible www.asthma.net/living/the-effects-of-chocolate-on-orreasons-to-consume-chocolate www.naturalnews.com/039074_chocolate_roses_Valentines_ Day.html#ixzz3OdNmxIbz

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