Well I’m a happy girl after reading an short piece in the July/August ’09 issue of Spirituality and Health and had to share. They wrote that new research coming from Oxford U links moderate consumption of wine, chocolate, and tea with improved cognition and reduced risk of Alzheimers. 

The crowd goes wild, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

The researchers worked with other science types in Norway and the study was done with 2,031 adults ages 70-74. It seems that those who regularly consumed chocolate, wine, or tea had better test scores than those who did not–significantly better!

I had to do some digging of my own to learn more. And I found more at Science Daily and a number of other sites which all carried this bit of news when it was new, Dec. ’08, a well, I missed it first time around but it’s certainly delicious and important news. Seems the reason these 3 foods enhance health is due to the polyphenols, micronutrients which are found in plant foods. The best known subclass of these nutrients–to most of us– are flavonoids. Many flavonoids have high antioxidant activity. More antioxidants on board means less inflammation and lower risk of many diseases.

Knowing we all like a treat now and then, this Oxford study–as well as all the other research out there on red wine, chocolate, black and green teas–gives us permission to enjoy two of life’s most delicious foods without guilt. (Tea is not a guilty pleasure as far as I’m concerned) 

Now that these two things are off the guilty pleasure list, what’s left on yours?