By Genevieve Decatur, News Correspondent
In the world of nutrition, certain foods are mercilessly discriminated against. For the health-conscious, there have always been certain treats that are either completely off-limits or reserved for only the most special of occasions. However, recent research has debunked food myths, and actually proven that some seemingly unhealthy delicacies can be beneficial.
Dark chocolate is one example of a guilty pleasure that shouldn’t be so guilt-inducing. A common misconception of dark chocolate is that you shouldn’t eat it because it’s high in fat and sugar. However, it has recently been discovered though, that dark chocolate has several health benefits that can outweigh its unhealthy qualities.
A 2010 study published by Circulation stated that those who consumed 19 to 30 grams of dark chocolate per week had significantly reduced the chances of heart failure, most likely due to its blood pressure-reducing properties.
Believe it or not, dark chocolate has also been proven to be good for your brain. By increasing blood flow to the brain, improving its cognitive function, this type of chocolate can help reduce the risk of stroke. A report published by the New England Journal of Medicine in 2012 actually linked dark chocolate consumption in certain regions to the likelihood of producing Nobel Laureates.
Last but not least, dark chocolate is often regarded as full of antioxidants, which aid in the prevention of cellular damage that leads to cancer and aging, and dark chocolate is loaded with them, according to Science Daily.
Another common health misconception is that beverages such as coffee and red wine are bad for you. But when consumed in the proper amount of one serving, or one six-ounce cup, caffeine can actually be beneficial to one’s health.
Coffee has gained a reputation for being a stimulant that keeps you awake while lacking in any nutritional value. However, the caffeine found in coffee has actually been shown to prevent memory loss in adults, while also increasing alertness and overall performance on daily tasks. Most surprising of all, Northeastern professor of health sciences Katherine Tucker said, “recent studies have shown protective effects of coffee against type two diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and others.”
Red wine is another commonly misunderstood drink, portrayed as “bad” because of its alcoholic content and sugar. However, like dark chocolate, red wine is full of antioxidants, and is commonly referred to as being “heart healthy.” The antioxidants in red wine are shown to protect your arteries and blood vessels from any damage by raising levels of good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol, and thus helping to prevent heart disease, according to Science Daily.
Sweets and alcohol aren’t the only foods and liquids you need to watch out for. Although some people believe that eggs are a healthy option when it comes to the common breakfast menu, people watching their cholesterol should wary because of the high cholesterol content in the yolks. If eaten in moderation, eggs are still rich in nutrition and protein, making them a great way to start off your morning.
“Because they contain cholesterol, many people avoid them,” Tucker said. “However, they do not contribute to high cholesterol as much as other sources of saturated fat, and offer an excellent source of protein, and importantly, zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that protects the eyes.”
An article published in Women’s Health reported that egg whites are highly nutritious and loaded with protein (not to mention, very low in calories). But remember, the egg yolk is where the healthy, fatty acids are located, as well as the majority of the vitamins and minerals, so don’t let the cholesterol and calories scare you away.
In addition to these foods and drinks that are often misjudged by their reputation, there are several other foods out there that have been misinterpreted in the opposite way. That is, they’re commonly thought to be healthy, when in fact they are not. Two increasingly popular foods that you should watch out for: wheat breads and frozen yogurt.
“With the low-fat craze, we saw the rise of bagels and too many bread products as a replacement for eggs. Similarly, some ‘wheat’ or ‘multigrain’ breads actually contain mainly white flour. It is important to read the label to be sure that bread and other grain products are as close to ‘whole grain’ as possible,” Tucker said.
It is safe to say that there is a very apparent “yogurt craze” happening. It seems that everywhere there are self-serve yogurt places popping up everywhere, plastering posters to their windows of how healthy their frozen yogurt products are, and how it’s a much better alternative to ice cream.
What they fail to advertise is that yogurt is still loaded with sugar. Don’t be fooled by the picture of the original-flavored yogurt topped with only the freshest of berries, because chances are, you’re going to get that half-hazelnut, half-chocolate frozen yogurt topped with chocolate chips, brownies and M&M’s. Because who are we kidding, it’s dessert.
