ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Moderate amounts of Valentine’s Day goodies, such as dark chocolate, cherries, wine and romance, can lower stress and protect the heart, according to new research from the University of Michigan.
Steven F. Bolling, MD, professor of cardiac surgery at the U-M Medical School, said components in tart cherries, grapes and wine can lower blood pressure and protect heart muscle. A glass of wine and massage also are good for lowering stress and anxiety.
“In cherries there are compounds called anthocyanins, which also can be very good for your heart,” Bolling said. Perhaps we could even take the cherries and dip them in chocolate to make a very good, heart-healthy Valentine’s snack.”
He recently published research on the benefits of grapes. The study showed grape intake lowered blood pressure and improved heart function in lab rats. The effect of the grapes is thought to be from their high level of phytochemicals—naturally occurring antioxidants—that grapes contain.
As for cherries, Bolling said 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. 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.
He also noted that 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 linked with benefiting the heart.
