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Life is all about enjoying today as if there is no tomorrow. This may be the mindset of many of us here. For some others enjoying is a part and parcel of life. If you ask people that what is their measure of enjoyment, at least one of the answers will be concerning food. Food habits are one of the most integral parts of people's fun and excitement. Out of all the food items, chocolates rank first in terms of celebrations. Be it birthday or any party, chocolates form the important part of the culinary sector. Now as every one is concerned about the health, let us see how far chocolates affect the health. Is it positive or negative?
Surprisingly, chocolates give away lot of potential benefits to the ones who enjoy them. For instance, chocolates serve as an energy supplier. Chocolates are outstanding sources of catechins, which are polyphenols of the flavanol group. These catechins are potential sources to protect the human body against heart disease, cancer, and various other medical dis-eases. Pain is undesirable and our physique is designed in such a way that the brain releases endorphins that act as pain-relievers. It is pleasing to hear that chocolates facilitate the release of endorphins.
Some researches give some of the following benefits of chocolates on health. Chocolate has sugar in it and the sugar has a calming effect on the persons eating it. It reduces the stress and the pain as told already. The intake of chocolate minimizes the problems of skin like acne or skin eruptions. Also chocolates serve as good sources of reduction of the risk of heart disease and cancer. Chocolates make one feel hungry, but do not make them fat.
But all these researches were based on the cocoa that is present in the chocolates. But what we take in is not just the cocoa, but also the other less desirable products that helps the transformation of cocoa into chocolate. The less desirable include added sugar, corn syrup, milk fats, dairy cream, hydrogenated oils, etc. The critics' point applies very valid. If the cocoa in chocolate does any good, the sugar and the undesirable products spoil it and make them worse. For example, if cocoa is claimed to reduce the risk of acne, the sugar in chocolate increases it. Now people get smarter by telling there is compensation in chocolate. But diseases are smarter to enter; they enter through many other ways via chocolate.
The choice is ours. Healthy life style also means a problem free life with no confusions. Anything that crosses the limits turns out to be undesirable for the body. The balance depends on the consumer. Have health and enjoy everyday.
Over the last year we have interviewed more than 10 leading neuroscientists and psychologists worldwide to learn about their research and thoughts, and have news to report.
What can we say today that we couldn't have said only 10 years ago? That what neuroscience pioneer Santiago Ramon y Cajal claimed in the XX century, "Every man can, if he so desires, become the sculptor his own brain", may well become reality in the XXI.
Let's now debunk 10 myths, still too prevalent, that may prevent us from seeing the full potential of this emerging field:
Myth 1: Its all in our genes.
-- Reality: A big component of our lifelong brain health and development depends on what we do with our brains. Our own actions, not only our genes, influence our lives to a large extent. Genes predispose us, not determine our fates.
Myth 2: The field of Cognitive/ Brain Fitness is too new to be credible.
-- Reality: The field rests on solid foundations dating back more decades. What is new is the number and range of tools that are now starting to be available for healthy individuals.
Myth 3: Medication is and will remain the only evidence-based intervention for a number of brain-related problems.
-- Reality: Cognitive training programs are starting to show value as complements to drug-based interventions.
Myth 4: We need to buy very expensive stuff to improve our brains.
-- Reality: Every time we learn a new skill, concept or fact, we change the physical composition of our brains. Lifelong learning means lifelong neuroplasticity.
Myth 5: Schools should just focus on basic skills like Reading and Math.
-- Reality: Mental muscles, such as working memory, are fundamental to academic performance and are currently overlooked by the school system.
Myth 6: Crossword puzzles, or our daily job activities, are the best way to keep ones mind sharp.
-- Reality: Computer-based programs can be more effective at training specific cognitive skills.
Myth 7: Videogames are always a waste of time.
-- Reality: Scientifically-designed, computer-based programs can be a good vehicle for training specific skills. For example, it has been shown that short term memory can be expanded by such programs.
Myth 8: This means kids will spend more time playing videogames.
-- Reality: In Japan the worlds earliest adopter of brain-related videogames- overall home videogame sales have declined, with children playing less over time. Interestingly, adults in Japan have started to play brain-related video games more, and we are starting to see the same trend with adults in the US and Europe.
Myth 9: Brain exercise is only for seniors. And, only about memory.
-- Reality: People of all ages can benefit from a variety of regular brain exercises. For active professionals, managing stress and emotions is often a good first step.
Myth 10: This all sounds too soft to be of real value to managers and professionals.
-- Reality: There is nothing soft about the hard science-based training of specific cognitive and emotional skills.
Now you know. Exercising our brains is as important as exercising our bodies!