Vim & Vigor - Fall 2008 - North Denver - (Page 46)

living the good VACATI odbye go i l t gu O N ✽O your favorite indulgences actually may benefit N VAC ATI ON It’s true; you really can have your cake and eat it too. Well, maybe not cake, but certainly chocolate. OK, dark chocolate, to be exact. The point is, some of life’s most enjoyable pleasures also may be good for your health. So let’s explore your favorite indulgences—from red wine to vacation time— and why you might not need to feel guilty about them. i’ll drink to that We’ve all heard the conﬂicting studies in the news: One day wine is good for you, the next it’s bad. The bottom line is, studies show that wine, in moderation, can preserve your memory, lower your body mass, help guard against food poisoning and prevent blood-sugar problems. “The antioxidants found in red wine may lead to a decreased risk of heart disease,” says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., spokeswoman for the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign. “Additionally, white wine has been shown to raise good cholesterol.” Goldberg, however, warns that there’s a ﬁne line between pleasure and health. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage, increased blood pressure or other medical problems. And while red wine has been linked with a healthier heart, all alcohol has been tied to an increased risk of cancer. Medical experts advise that if you’re not a drinker, don’t start. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that if you drink, do so in moderation. For women, this means one 4-ounce glass of wine (for beer and liquor, the serving size varies) per day and for men, two. ❋ 46 vim & vigor · fal l 2 008 ✽O N something sweet Good news, chocolate lovers: Dark chocolate—but not white or milk—can help lower blood pressure and cancel out the cell-damaging effects of free radicals. Goldberg credits these health beneﬁts to dark chocolate’s antioxidants and ﬂavonoids. “These properties make your blood vessels more ﬂexible, and therefore more resistant to the buildup of plaque,” she says. This helps prevent heart disease. While this news may seem like a dream come true, remember that just a small piece of dark chocolate daily is all you need to reap its health beneﬁts. Balance the extra calories of this indulgence by eating less of other things. ❋ going, going, go already! ❋ According to Expedia.com’s 2007 Vacation Deprivation survey, 35 percent of U.S. adults don’t take all their vacation time each year. In fact, the U.S. holds the distinction as the country most likely to leave unused days on the table. Maybe it’s time to follow the lead of other countries. “Vacations and small breaks from work and other responsibilities are a critical component of

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Vim & Vigor - Fall 2008 - North Denver Contents A Mission in Motion For Your Health Goal! Seeing Beyond Time Equals Muscle The Fiber Solution Prize Fighters On the Cover: Spreading the News I'm Glad I Had a... Tailor-Made Beyond the Bedside On Track Living the Good Life Little Kids, Big Decisions Zeroing In Right At Home Beating the Clock Community Connections Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2008 - North Denver

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