Dark Thoughts

A bit of dark chocolate may do more than just tickle your taste buds.

A recent study finds evidence that eating a little bit of chocolate may be good for your health. In the study, participants who consumed about 3 1/2 ounces (about seven small squares) of dark chocolate experienced improvements in endothelial function of the smooth muscle lining their blood vessels. Improved endothelial function aids blood flow and helps decrease strain on the heart.

Because chocolate is high in both fat and calories, people who plan to consume chocolate frequently should consume it in much smaller amounts than what was used for the recent study -- an ounce or two per day is a sensible serving. In addition to an occasional piece of dark chocolate, other artery-friendly habits include limiting your intake of trans and saturated fat, exercising for at least 30 minutes per day, and reducing stress levels with relaxation activities.

Bones Beware

Balance your vitamin A intake for bone health. Getting too much or too little vitamin A may increase your risk of bone fractures, a recent study revealed. To reduce your risk of excess, load up on foods rich in beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A as needed. Good foods to try include carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe. Avoid multivitamins that contain more than 8,000 IU of vitamin A. It's best to choose a multivitamin that contains vitamin A in the form of beta carotene.

Your body needs vitamin A to maintain your vision, teeth, gums, nerves, and bones. Beta-carotene gives produce its bright green, orange, and yellow hues. Spinach, pumpkin, squash, carrots, apricots, yams, and cantaloupe are all excellent sources of beta carotene. In addition to balancing vitamin A intake, other important means of maintaining healthy bones include performing weight-bearing exercise regularly and getting 400 IU of vitamin D and 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day.

A Little Stroke Prevention

Make an effort to get a little more active. Even small amounts of exercise could reduce your risk of stroke significantly. In a recent study, people who were moderately active were almost 20 percent less likely to suffer a stroke compared to people who were mostly inactive. Highly active people had the lowest risk of stroke. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week.

The most common cause of long-term disability in the U. S. is stroke. It also is the number 3 killer. The reasons why exercise lowers stroke risk are plentiful. Exercise can decrease blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and improve cardiovascular functioning. Poor health measures in any of these areas may increase the risk of stroke.