Bad foods and why some are not so bad after all

We’re living in the 21st century and it’s about time we change the way we think about bad or unhealthy food. These days it has become difficult to determine what’s right or wrong when it comes to the kind of food we should and should not include in our diet. However, it is important to remember that food science is ever evolving so some foods that have been considered bad before might not be so bad after all.



Coffee

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Starbucks, anyone? While coffee with lots of sugar and add-ons may not be so healthy, coffee is generally said to be rich in antioxidants which are good for our bodies. Of course, it should always be taken in moderation (about 3 to 4 cups a day) to get the most benefits such as boost in energy and metabolism. Several prominent studies have also concluded that coffee consumption reduces the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.


Chocolate

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Many believe that chocolate can give you pimples and can make you fat. Well, that was before; now it’s time for chocolate lovers to rejoice. Science has proven that dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that help reduce LDL (otherwise known as “bad cholesterol”) and prevents blood clots. Dark chocolate has also been associated with improved cognitive performance among the elderly. However, this is not a reason to make chocolate a staple food because controlled consumption is still highly advised to avoid weight gain.


Alcohol

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Alcohol abuse causes health complications such as liver failure. However, moderate alcohol consumption has been proven to have positive health benefits. Moderate consumption can be defined as one drink per day for women and two for men. Recent studies show that alcohol may help reduce the risk of heart attack, heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. It also contains HDL (good cholesterol) and polyphenol, which is said to lessen blood clotting, inflammation, and oxidation.



The thing to remember is that too much of a good thing is bad. The key to be able to enjoy these so-called bad foods is to eat them in small portions and set limits to the quantity that you consume. This way you won’t have to deprive yourself of the food that you crave and still maintain a healthy body.

My name is Riyesh Menon and I’m a health and fitness guru from Marin County, California. Follow me on Twitter for more useful tips on achieving a healthier body.