Health & wellbeing

22 Health & Wellbeing

There is research showing chocolates has the ability to improve blood flow, reduce blood pressure and lower heart disease and stroke risk too, as well as it being associated with a reduced risk of depression. This all sounds like a winner to me. Not that I need much excuse to eat chocolate! So, what cocoa content can we call dark chocolate? Well, the darker you can go, the better. 100% cocoa chocolate is pretty hard going, but 70% is pretty enjoyable to most people. For the other side of the coin, remember that chocolate is fairly high in fat, so the calories do quickly add up. A square or two a day is probably enough. If you’re thinking there is no way you could stop after a couple of squares, try going a little darker. The mix of sugar and fat is a huge trigger for overeating and is at least part of the reason that the less-dark chocolate is so hard to put down. The darker the chocolate, the less sugar and –in theory –the easier to put down after a sensible amount. Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. Get in touch for a free five-day meal plan www.fitbiztraining.co.uk Benefits of dark chocolate Enjoy a little this Easter - guilt-free! By Heather Smith Easter is upon us, and that means another time of year where we are surrounded by delicious sweet treats. Enjoying chocolate usually seems to come with a side serving of guilt, so I thought it would be a good time to explain some of the health benefits of chocolate. We’re talking about good quality, dark chocolate here, which is actually pretty rich in nutrients including magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and selenium. Chocolate is also full of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, as well as having a high fibre content which is important for gut health, and flavanols which help protect the skin and brain.

through the door

Why write a Will? by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers

Unfortunately, many people never get round to dealing with this vital issue. Nearly two thirds of adults in the UK have not prepared a will according to a survey conducted by MacMillan Cancer Support (January 2018). If you have children, property and investments it is essential to have a Will in place to ensure that your money goes to the right people at the right time. A Will is a legal declaration of your wishes and is only valid if it complies with certain requirements set by Law. There are countless reasons why you should make a Will and this article lists the main ones. A Will is the only way you can help ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. If you have not made a Will, your Will fails or is invalid, then the Government Rules of Intestacy will apply. These rules will be unlikely to reflect your real wishes. Without a Will, the distribution of your estate will take much longer than it would if one was in place. This could cause unnecessary distress to those that need early access to money or property. Disputes can be

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avoided if a valid Will is made and your loved ones will be more likely to receive what you have left them. A Will can be used to appoint legal guardians for your children as well as express your funeral wishes and specify gifts to individuals or charities. None of these would be reflected in the Rules of Intestacy. Using a Will writing professional to visit your home and discuss your requirements and budget can be one of the best decisions you can make for your family. For more information call Steve Worsfold at Sussex Will Writers.