Feb. 9, 2009 – Most senior citizens have probably
not considered it, but the delights of Valentine’s Day – romance, wine,
fruit and chocolate - can be down right good for your heart, according
to research from the University of Michigan.
Of course moderation is key when enjoying food and
wine, but there are components in tart cherries, grapes and wine that
can lower blood pressure and protect heart muscle. And a glass wine and
massage can do wonders for lowering stress and anxiety.
“There are many fruits associated with Valentine’s
Day, most commonly cherries, of course,” says
Steven F. Bolling, M.D., professor of cardiac surgery at the
U-M Medical School. “In cherries there are compounds called
anthocyanins, which also can be very good for your heart. Perhaps we
could even take the cherries and dip them in chocolate to make a very
good, heart-healthy Valentine’s snack.”
Not any chocolate will do. Dark chocolate is the
kind that contains flavonoids credited with being good for the heart.
“People have asked the question which is better for
you red wine or white wine? Probably wine in itself is good for you,
just because it reduces stress and anxiety; let’s not over do it,”
Bolling warns. “But red wine has specific agents, perhaps in the dark
skin of red wine grapes that are heart-healthy and heart friendly.”
Bolling recently published research on the benefits
of grapes. A study performed in the U-M Cardioprotection Research
Laboratory showed grape intake lowered blood pressure and improved heart
function in lab rats. While more research should done, the study results
were encouraging.
The animals in the study were like many Americans
who have high blood pressure related to their diet, particularly a salty
diet. So what is it about grapes? The effect of the grapes is thought to
be from their high level of phytochemicals – naturally occurring
antioxidants – that grapes contain.
As for tart cherries, both animal studies and new
clinical studies have examined their benefits. “A ‘tart, heart-smart
diet’ has shown to be very beneficial in terms of heart health, heart
function and also really reducing belly fat and changing your metabolic
obesity syndrome, all very helpful,” Bolling says.
Animals that received powdered tart cherries in
their diet had lower total cholesterol, lower blood sugar, less fat
storage in the liver, lower oxidative stress and increased production of
a molecule that helps the body handle fat and sugar. Cherries were found
to alter these factors that can lead to heart disease and Type 2
diabetes.
There are other activities associated with
Valentine’s Day that are heart-healthy, including massage. In the
hospital setting, massage therapy is used to help patients
and their families relax and reduce anxiety.
Reducing stress and anxiety has long been llinked with benefiting the
heart.
“There is proven research that indicates that
massage itself is beneficial in the post-operative state, in
hospitalized patients to reduce stress and anxiety and even probably to
reduce blood pressure,” Bolling says.
It’s possible to set the mood for a romantic and
heart-healthy Valentine’s Day.
“All of these indulgences really do not have to be
limited to Valentine’s Day itself and certainly will lead to a much
better heart-health status if we practice them everyday,” Bolling says.
