This Valentine’s Day, Go for the Wine and Chocolates

For Valentine’s Day this year, skip the hearts and flowers; go straight for the wine and chocolate - they’re rich in  anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants help prevent the  damage caused by free radicals, and also help skin tolerate UV exposure and environmental pollutants.

But not all wine and not all chocolate are equally good, so make sure that you get the right stuff.

Chocolate - it’s good for you, so indulge a little!

• Dark chocolate is much richer in anti-oxidants; it has more chocolate liquor and less sugar. Eat dark chocolate  whenever possible—it’s the milk, cream, and dairy products in milk chocolate  that reduce its anti-oxidant value.
• Go for the good stuff. High quality chocolates are generally made from natural ingredients, and contain higher percentages of cacao and less sugar.
• Eat while you enjoy it. It will help reduce  stress.

Wine -propose a toast to your health!

• Red wine. It doesn’t make any difference if it’s  merlot, cabernet or pinot noir—all red wine is rich in anti-oxidants because the skin and the seeds ferment in the grapes’ juice during the fermentation process.
• Stick to one glass per day—120 calories is plenty. If you have two glasses, you’re getting more calories, but not more anti-oxidants.
• Moderate amounts of red wine may help protect against estrogen depletion.
• Sit down and enjoy your wine—especially with a good friend. Reducing stress is good for your heart and for your skin!

Happy Valentine’s Day - it’s a perfect excuse to  enjoy some dark chocolate and red wine. Remember, it’s Doctor’s orders! For the other 364 days, be sure to also use skincare  products that are rich in anti-oxidants, too!