If it's Valentine's Day, it sure is 'bout the heart! Not just the heart that flutters, but also the one that's beats faster every time the love of your life walks past! With sweet indulgences coming your way this February, a University of Michigan researcher says that you can still keep that little heart beating strongly because extravagances like chocolate, wine and romance are good for your internal cupid (albeit, in moderation).
Dr. Steven F. Bolling, professor of cardiac surgery at the U-M medical school, says that tart cherries, grapes and wine have components that can lower blood pressure and protect heart muscle.
A glass of wine and massage can do wonders for lowering stress and anxiety, the researcher adds.
"There are many fruits associated with Valentine's Day, most commonly cherries, of course. In cherries there are compounds called anthocyanins, which also can be very good for your heart. Perhaps we could even take the cherries and dip them in chocolate to make a very good, heart-healthy Valentine's snack," says Bolling.
However, not any chocolate, but dark chocolate is the kind that contains flavonoids, that can guarantee a healthy heart.
"People have asked the question which is better for you red wine or white wine? Probably wine in itself is good for you, just because it reduces stress and anxiety; let's not over do it. But red wine has specific agents, perhaps in the dark skin of red wine grapes that are heart-healthy and heart friendly," warned Bolling.