National Chocolate Mint Day February 19
Chocolate is considered an herb. So is mint, for that matter. So on Chocolate Mint Day we actually have two favorite herbs coming together!
Chocolate
Good news – regular consumption of chocolate has been repeatedly shown to not raise blood cholesterol.
Chocolate is incredibly versatile. It’s been used as a medicinal drink for everything from tuberculosis to intestinal parasites, as an aphrodisiac, for hangovers, for sexual disorders and, due to its powerful antioxidants, to reduce risk of blood clotting and high blood cholesterol.
In addition to the fat and simple sugars present in chocolate, the cocoa component in chocolate is rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and manganese. Of much greater interest in the context of health benefits is the relatively rich flavonoid content of some chocolates.
There are also a number of phytochemicals in chocolate that may have important health benefits.
Although chocolate is often thought to contain relatively large amounts of the stimulant caffeine, the actual amount is relatively low compared with that present in tea and coffee.
Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to improve the function of important cells lining the wall of blood vessels for at least three hours. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which act as natural antioxidants — chemicals that combat the damage oxygen does to the body.
Chocolate – how we could go on and on! But instead, we’ll share some interesting articles so we can move on to mint. See also:
Chocolate Flavored Cereal Lowers Cholesterol
BellyBytes.com: Heat Up to Hot Chocolate!
Guilt Free Chocolate Creations
Healthy Chocolate Recipe Collection
Mint
Of the 30 species of mint, peppermint is the most pungent and along with milder spearmint, the most widely available.
Peppermint is more than just the candy flavor often combined with chocolate, as it is in chocolate mints. This herb promotes healthy digestion by soothing and comforting the stomach. Peppermint is frequently used in herbal teas and capsules.
Peppermint is considered a general stimulant, cleansing and strengthening the entire body.
The volatile oil in Peppermint acts as a mild anesthetic to the stomach wall, which allays feelings of nausea. In painful menstrual periods, it relieves the pain and eases associated tension.
Externally, peppermint is used to relieve itching, inflammations, and a variety of respiratory conditions. Peppermint oil is also a great expectorant.
See also: Peppermint Leaf, Peppermint Oil
Chocolate and mint together – how can you go wrong? Our favorite is Russell Stover’s Mint Dream Bars. They also have fantastic mint patties.
Suggested recipes:
Chocolate Mint Brownies - Low Calorie Recipe
Chocolate Mint Sipper – Healthy Milk Beverage
Chocolate Mint Truffle Squares – Low Carbohydrate Recipe
Chocolate Mint Pie – St. Patrick’s Day Recipe
