Besides flowers, a gift most often given to loved ones on Valentine's day is chocolate. It is better to choose the chocolate powder, chocolate drink hot for more heart healthy than chocolate chewing.
"In relation to heart health, drinking hot chocolate is as good as a glass of wine, namely reducing the risk of heart attack," said Lona Sandon, a diet expert at the University of Texas, as quoted from HealthNewsDigest.
Powdered chocolate, especially dark chocolate is processed from having the most high-flavanol content than any other chocolate and processed form. Flavanol compound is one which has the effect of protecting the heart from damage.
Ingredients other than pure cocoa powder is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage, especially cells making the blood vessels leading to the heart. Healthy blood vessels will ensure smooth blood flow and is not easily clogged.
According to Sandon, various benefits will be reduced when the chocolate is cocoa powder is processed into chocolate or chocolate candy bars. The addition of sugar, milk and butter add calories, which indirectly is hazardous for the heart.
High calories can trigger obesity in people who rarely exercise. For people with diabetes, increased blood sugar due to excess calories can not be tolerated by the production of insulin that could endanger his health.
In addition, the structure of fat in milk and butter used in chocolate candy and chocolate bars can also be changed during processing so that the bad fats. The bad fats in the blood to clot easily, and can lead to blockages and heart attacks.
