in this issue

Spring 2010 - Home

Patient Surveys Help Imaging Center Deliver Patient Satisfaction

Open MRIs Reduce Anxiety, Claustrophobia

Straight Talk About Open MRI

Fundamentals of Medical Imaging

Watch Radiologist William Mehard, MD, Explain Why Your Doctor May Order Imaging Tests

Watch Julia Lagow, DO, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Explain Why Vaginal Ultrasounds are Necessary.

your wellbeing

One-on-One Therapy is No. 1 with Patients

St. Anthony’s Implements a Faster Test for Infections

your good health

Preventing Disease through Exercise

Dark Chocolate and Cocoa May Protect Against Heart Disease and Cancer

Recipe: Cocoa Low-Fat Muffins

your health today

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Online issues:

November 2011 - Senior Health
Fall 2011 - Primary Care
Summer 2011 - Breast Cancer Care
Spring 2011 - Heart Care
Winter 2011 - Emergency Services
Fall 2010 - Sleep Center
Summer 2010 - Ask the Doctor
Spring 2010 - Imaging
Winter 2009 - Orthopedics
Fall 2009 - Women
Spring 2009 - Prostate

Online Issue Index

Spring 2010

Sweet News

Dark chocolate and cocoa may help protect against
heart disease and cancer

This is the time of year that many thoughts turn to decadent deserts made with chocolate. As more research points to the benefits of dark chocolate and cocoa, we thought we’d list the top nutrition myths related to chocolate.

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Myth: Chocolate is harmful to your health
Fact: Current research findings suggest that dark chocolate and cocoa are rich in plant-based antioxidants, particularly flavanols. It is thought they may positively affect cardiovascular and immune systems, diabetes, blood pressure, kidney function and brain health. More research is needed, but dark chocolate and cocoa may:

help arteries relax and widen, lowering blood pressure, thereby reducing strain on the heart and increasing blood flow in the brain.
help limit the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
help blood platelets be less “sticky,” which promotes blood flow.
have beneficial effects on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Myth: Chocolate has lots of caffeine
Fact: Chocolate does contain caffeine, but only in small amounts. 1 oz of milk chocolate contains 6 mg of caffeine; 1 oz of dark chocolate has 20 mg. Compare that to 5 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup of decaffeinated coffee or 95 mg of caffeine in a cup of regular coffee.

Myth: Chocolate causes acne
Fact: This popular belief has plagued teenagers for decades. However, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association state that chocolate neither causes acne nor makes it worse.

Myth: Chocolate causes migraines
Fact: Chocolate has long been targeted as a trigger for migraines based on subjective assessments of patients. However, scientific studies have failed to show a correlation.

Myth: An ingredient in chocolate causes health risks
Fact: Chocolate contains small amounts of a mild, natural stimulant known as theobromine. While safe for human consumption even in large quantities, it is known to cause chocolate poisoning and even death in other species, such as dogs. Cats are even more sensitive, but they are less prone to eating chocolate because they are unable to taste sweetness. The bottom line is that you can enjoy chocolate in moderation, along with a variety of antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Chocolate contains fat and added sugar that provide additional calories, so eat it in moderation to prevent weight gain.

Source: Hershey's Kitchens www.hersheys.com

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