Health | Dr. Barbara R. Edwards

March 18, 2022March 16, 2022

The Hidden Health Benefits of Chocolate

People who claim not to enjoy chocolate are few and far between. Chocolate is a go-to sweet treat for many, and sometimes it can be hard to get enough of it. Did you know that chocolate has some genuine health benefits? Consuming chocolate in moderation can lead to better heart health and lowered blood pressure. Does this mean you should go out and eat as much chocolate as you want? Well, not really.

Like most processed foods, chocolate is most beneficial when in its purest form. The more it is ground and blended, the fewer healthy properties it maintains. Most processed chocolates, especially milk chocolate, do contain a higher concentration of calories and sugar in excess. There are still ways to eat chocolate in order to gain its health benefits, and we have highlighted a few key benefits.

Promoting Attentiveness

Theobromine, a bitter compound found in cacao seeds, can help to block adenosine receptors in the brain, causing you to be more alert and attentive. Adenosine receptors naturally slow down neural activity and have you starting to doze off. Chocolate also contains trace amounts of caffeine, which is well-known for its ability to enhance alertness.

Antioxidants

Dark chocolate is usually regarded as the healthier choice amongst the several types of chocolate. The reason being, the cacao is in a pure state, without added butter or milk. Dark chocolate is a great source of antioxidants, which help promote cell health. The antioxidants found in chocolate are called flavonoids, which are found naturally in plants and help repair any damage from environmental toxins. Did you know that more than 10% of cocoa powder’s weight is made up from flavonoids?

Heart Health

A big one! Flavonols, the main flavonoid in cocoa beans, are a healthy chemical for your heart. Some of the benefits they provide you with include increased blood flow, decreased chance of clotting, increased circulation, and blood pressure management. Again, opt for dark chocolate over lighter varieties to reap the full benefits.

Lowering Your Chance of Cancer

The flavonols found in chocolate are not only antioxidants, but they also contain anti-inflammatory properties. Both of these properties are important in keeping free radicals in check. Free radicals can damage cell health, and if out of control, can allow cancer cells to thrive. Consuming dark chocolate can help reduce this and keep the cells healthy.

Are you surprised at how many health benefits come with eating chocolate? If the right kinds are eaten in moderation, then you could see long-term health benefits. Now go and enjoy a nice chocolate bite!

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022

Three Tips to Boost Heart Health

Did you know that almost 1 in 2 adults experiences high blood pressure? Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death amongst both men and women, so your heart should be a preeminent health concern. If you are neglecting the health of your heart, you’re opening up the door for grave health issues down the road. Here are a handful of tips for you to keep in the back of your head to avoid bad news at the cardiologist’s office. Read below to help get control over your heart health!

1. Reconsider your diet

While it’s a fairly obvious step, changing your diet can be easier said than done. Start first thing in the morning with a healthy, balanced breakfast. Enjoy a serving of fruit alongside an egg and a serving of whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread or oatmeal. For lunch, whip yourself up a salad or a small turkey sandwich with some sautéed vegetables. For dinner, barring any dietary restrictions, consider eating seafood instead of red meat once or twice a week. Later, snack on a handful of nuts, with a bit of dark chocolate for some sweetness. Keep the sugars and excesive carbohydrates down. Being mindful of what you put into your body will benefit you greatly and can result in significant weight loss as well.

2. Learn your history

Another important step is to research your family history. Does a parent or grandparent have a history of high blood pressure? Heart disease? Any other sort of heart-related ailment? All of this is important to know, and even more important to talk about with your doctor. Your primary care physician can go through the proper steps with you to walk you down the right path toward better heart health.

3. Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!

This one is a no-brainer! Exercise at regular intervals is extremely important for hearth health. Even something as simple as a short, 20-minute walk can be enough to get the blood flowing. At least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week is recommended, on top of muscle exercises for 2-3 days a week.

Keep heart health in mind and be a better friend to yourself! Keeping your heart health in check can help prevent conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer and cardiac arrest, just to name a few. Your heart is what keeps you going, be sure to keep it going!

March 15, 2022March 2, 2022

Tips for Self-Care

Self-care is an important step in maintaining a healthy, well-balanced life. There are different types of health ranging from mental to physical. It is important for self-care to factor in both mental and physical health.

Self-care for mental health

Increasing relaxation can help mental health by decreasing mental stressors. Some great ways to relax involve meditation and going on nature walks which can help relieve stress by giving the mind a release. Some outlets that can be employed to cope include journaling and talk therapy. Journaling is a cathartic way to voice your concerns which can help to relieve stress and give an opportunity to gain clarity when you look back at the things you’ve written in the past and have since overcome. Therapy is great for mental health since it involves voicing concerns to a third party who is a trained professional and can give helpful guidance about how to approach problems and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Regular socialization with friends and those close to you is also important to check in with your mental well-being since it reduces loneliness and reinforces positive bonds.

Self-care for physical health

Nutrition is a key factor in maintaining physical health since a lack of certain vitamins can result in deterioration of the body. Fitness is an important tool to maintain physical health since it keeps the body strong and increases stamina which helps it function at optimal levels. Some great exercises for physical health are swimming, yoga, Pilates and spin classes. Moving your body releases endorphins, popularly known as the “happy” brain chemical.

Mental health and physical health are connected so maintaining both is the key to a balanced, healthy life. Focusing on your needs as an individual helps you to be able to function at an optimal level.

March 9, 2022March 2, 2022

Developing Healthier Eating Habits

We all know that we need to maintain a healthy diet to live a balanced, vital life, but a “healthy” diet can be hard to achieve when we are bombarded with messages about dieting simply to lose weight. While weight loss can be a side effect of a diet packed with nutrients and foods that are good for your health, the goal is to develop habits that keep you eating those healthy, whole foods. Here is a list of methods to keep in mind to stay on the right track towards developing healthier habits around food.

Self-Reflect

You won’t be able to notice unhealthy habits if you don’t allow yourself to take note. Reflection and self-awareness are key to implementing healthier habits. For instance, try keeping a food and drink diary to understand what you frequently reach for that leaves you feeling sluggish. Using this info, you can sketch out your food habits, good and bad. Knowing these habits is beneficial to you, as you can highlight which ones you would like to work on, and which you can keep.

Change Routine if Needed

If your daily routine is enabling your unhealthy behavior, it’s okay to change it! For most people who may have unhealthy eating habits, breakfast is not an essential meal. This may not seem that important to some, but in order to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, the age-old phrase “the most important meal of the day” really does reign true. Breakfast is so important because it provides energy for you to begin your day. If you haven’t eaten earlier in the morning, you may find yourself fatigued and too tired to get certain important tasks done. Skipping meals is another bad habit to watch for, as the inconsistency of when you eat can have negative effects on health. To enforce a healthy routine, make sure that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are consistently being eaten.

Eat Foods You Can Pronounce

Reaching for packaged foods as you sit down to watch a movie or to snack on quickly before a zoom call at work add up at the end of a week. As you track your eating habits, you may notice how large a percentage of your caloric intake is coming from processed foods with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Instead, try reaching for more whole foods that are grown on farms, rather than produced in factories. Food should bring you fulfillment and satisfaction – take the time to slow down to enjoy full meals rather than quick snacks.

March 3, 2022March 2, 2022

Benefits of Moving Your Body Daily

Man in blue jacket running in the daytime

It’s recommended that adults get 75-300 minutes of physical activity each week. This number may seem like a lot to some, but next to nothing for others. Either way, it serves as a reminder that a person should be exercising or moving to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you shy away at the idea of “working out”, it’s okay! You don’t have to shell out dozens of dollars per month for a gym just to stay healthy, there are other ways to get your heart pumping!

Benefits of Moving

It likely does not come as a surprise for most that consistent movement is beneficial to your health. In addition to weight loss, there are a handful of benefits that can be gained by keeping active throughout all parts of the year. Moving your body or exercising carries the benefit of enhancing your mood and improving mental health. Studies have shown that sitting around and not staying active leads to increased anxiety and even depression. Moving around will also cause decreases in stress and can brighten your mood by giving you a sense of accomplishment. Moving around daily also helps support bone health and preservation, brain health, and sex drive.

Ways to Move

Of course, the best way to move your body is to incorporate a workout routine into your day. If you don’t have a gym membership, there are several other ways you can accomplish this and improve your health.

Walk – To get moving, one can simply go for a walk! Travel to a large shopping area and browse around or find a trail in the woods to get away from all of the noise and take a nice hike! Either way, walking is a great form of exercise that doesn’t take much effort at all.
Stretch – Another easy one, take a few moments each day to stretch, when you wake up, every hour or so while at work, after a workout, whenever it works for you! Stretching helps to move lymph fluid and regulate lactic acid buildup, leading to your body feeling more relaxed.
Dance – Dancing is very beneficial to your body as it incorporates weight-bearing exercises such as spinning as well as range-of-motion exercises like arm and hip swings.
Working out – This is the most beneficial if you are willing to put in a bit more effort. Working out, either weight training or cardiovascular, not only helps to strengthen your body and maintain healthy weight, but it also has amazing benefits for mental health, such as a decreased possibility of developing depression. If you don’t know where to start, check out fitness YouTube channels for a fun challenge.