12 Surprising Ways You May Be Harming Your Heart

When it comes to your heart, maybe you think you're doing everything right. You're not overweight, you try to exercise regularly and the last time you checked, your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers were within your target range. You're off to a great start, but on a daily basis you may be doing small things that over time can add up to big problems for your heart.

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Photo by: C Squared Studios
Not Eating Dessert
Recent studies have shown that eating small amounts of chocolate every day can lower risk of cardiovascular disease by 37 percent, reduce risk of stroke by 20 to 29 percent and may also reduce risk for diabetes. "Dark chocolate should be a guilt-free dessert, because it's filled with flavonoids, which help protect your heart by lowering bad cholesterol and preventing inflammation," says Jimenez. ... more
Photo by: C Squared Studios
Not Eating Dessert
Recent studies have shown that eating small amounts of chocolate every day can lower risk of cardiovascular disease by 37 percent, reduce risk of stroke by 20 to 29 percent and may also reduce risk for diabetes. "Dark chocolate should be a guilt-free dessert, because it's filled with flavonoids, which help protect your heart by lowering bad cholesterol and preventing inflammation," says Jimenez. "When you're buying dark chocolate, make sure the first ingredient is cacao, because that's where the flavonoids are. Cacao by itself is bitter, so some sugar or corn syrup may be in the product, and that's okay, as long as the first ingredient is dark chocolate or cacao. Try a few and see which ones you like the best." Again, the secret is moderation. About two candy bars per week, or about 1/4 quarter of a candy bar per day, is the recommended amount of chocolate to help your heart.
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