Go ahead and enjoy these three treats. Far from being bad for you, they can actually improve your health.
- Chocolate
Sure, it’s full of calories, but it’s also packed with heart-healthy substances (flavonoids) that support the functioning of the endothelium, a layer of cells in arteries (including those in the heart) that slows plaque build-up and regulates blood pressure.
- Coffee
It’s a great source of antioxidants which help your body ward off age-related diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and studies also show that coffee improves stamina. It even contains an alkaloid thought to strengthen tooth enamel. Plus — contrary to popular opinion — it doesn’t dehydrate you, provided you don’t exceed two 150ml cups a day.
- Alcohol
Drinking to excess is dangerous, but having just one drink a day can cut your risk of heart attack and cancer (one drink=150ml of wine or 350ml of beer). The best choices are red wine or dark beer. Red wine is rich in resveratrol, a compound that blocks a key protein that cancer cells need to grow, while dark beer contains polyphenols, plant chemicals that stop platelets — the building blocks of blood clots — from sticking together.
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