9 Health Benefits of Chocolate

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Superfoods don't just come from your supermarket's produce aisle. In fact those chocolate candy bars next to the gummy bears now qualify. Study after study proves that dark chocolate—sweet, rich, and delicious—is good for more than curing a broken heart. The secret behind its powerful punch is cacao, also the source of the sweet's distinct taste. Packed with healthy chemicals like flavonoids and theobromine, this little bean is a disease-killing bullet. The only problem? Cacao on its own is bitter, chalky, nasty stuff. Enter milk, sugar, and butter—good for your taste buds, not always good for your health. Besides adding calories, these can dilute the benefits of cacao. So snack smart: Stick to healthy chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao (or cocoa, which is cacao in its roasted, ground form). As long as the content is that high, says Mary Engler, Ph.D., a professor of physiological nursing at the University of California at San Francisco, you can reap the be...

5 HEALTHIEST FOODS FOR YOUR DOG (AND THE ones YOU NEED TO AVOID!)


Every good pet parent tries to please his/her fur baby as much as possible. Although we tend to stick to their canine diets, sometimes it is hard to stay away from giving them an occasional human morsel. Many people believe that dogs shouldn’t be given “human” food at all. On the other hand, if you wish to reward your pet with table scraps, you actually can do that safely. However, make sure that the food you choose isn’t detrimental to the well-being of canines.

Keep reading and learn which “human” foods are actually safe and even healthy for dogs.

1. Pasta As pasta is nothing more than water, flour, and sometimes eggs, it can be definitely given to canines. All of the aforementioned ingredients are completely safe for dogs, so any variety of pasta is acceptable. However, the grain pasta would be the best choice.

When it comes to commercial pasta sauce, you should better avoid it. As it is rich in salt and sugar and it is usually acidic, it can potentially upset your dog`s stomach. In addition, some dogs are allergic to wheat, so if this is the case with your dog, hold the pasta.

2. Pumpkin, Squash and Zucchini Pumpkin is great source of vitamin A/ beta-carotene and fiber as well. It can aid with digestive problems and help the GI tract moving. Squash, is another great source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, so it can be added to bulk up his stool. Make sure you remove the seeds. Zucchini is an excellent snack as it is very delicious and healthy. It provides folate, vitamin content and potassium. All of these foods are good for you and your dog, and nothing about them is toxic to canines.

3. Coconut and Coconut Oil The coconut is made up of a highly beneficial fatty acid chain, known as Lauric acid. When both humans and dogs synthesize this acid, it produces a compound called monoglyceride monolaurin. This substance protects pets from infections and it boosts their immune system, as it has the ability to fight and destroy and numerous pathogenic bacteria.

 In addition to this, coconut contains albumin, a water-soluble protein which is found in many animal liquids and tissues. A jar of “virgin” coconut oil can be the solution to various diseases and ailments, such as cracked paws, smelly coats, cuts that have been infected, yeast infections, and hot spots. In case you have already tried all diet remedies and they didn’t provide any results, turn to the coconut because it is definitely the best natural medicine for your dog.

 The term “virgin” means that it isn’t refined, and both humans and dogs can consume it. It improves your dog`s digestion and it is one of the best medicines for many digestive issues. In addition, the coconut oil reduces the risk of cancer. The coconut oil can also help with keeping the thyroid function normal. It gives your dog a smooth glassy coat, as well as supple and healthy skin. This oil can also be used for prevention and treatment of fungal and yeast infections. In addition, arthritis and similar pains can be minimized with the use of coconut oil. It can keep your dog`s weight under control as well as balance the dog`s metabolism. The most important thing is that your dog is most likely to love both coconut and coconut oil. Just mix it with the food they normally use and it will do wonders for your dog`s health. Salmon and Tuna These fish are rich in omega -3 fatty acids, fats that are responsible for supporting your dog`s immune system as well as keeping the dog`s coat shiny and healthy. You can slip some of your unwanted fish skins to your dog, feed it with cooked salmon or add salmon oil into the food. Not only

4.salmon, but tuna is very healthy for your dog as well. Contrary to all the stereotypes that dogs cannot eat tuna, they surely can because it provides omega-3 fatty acids, proteins and vitamins. Flax Seed ( Milled or Oil) Like the aforementioned salmon and tuna,

5.flax seed is another great source of omega-3 fatty acids. We already know that this type of fats is good for both coat and skin. It would be best to use whole flax seeds, but grind them right before feeding. The thing is, this type of fat can go rancid over short period of time. Moreover, the flax seed can also be incorporated in your dog`s regimen as a source of fiber. It is more concentrated form of omega-3 fats without the fiber. Keep the seeds or the oil in an air tight dark container stored in your fridge.

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