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I For the love of (and science behind) chocolate That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 21 | Thursday, April 7, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com t's a question men often ask in cautious whispers in the company of other men, and well out of earshot of their spouses: "What's up with women and chocolate?" Because men know the women in their lives really, really, really love chocolate. A lot. And because women tend to be unfathomably (albeit ercely) reluctant to acknowledge that love -- thus, all the cautious whispering amongst the timorous menfolk. All reluctance, reticence and refutations aside, it's true. It's scienti cally proven. Women dig chocolate. According to assorted surveys, they crave it more than any other food item. Because it's pure comfort -- packed with ingredients known to boost spirits, calm frayed nerves and stabilize moods. And, of course, it's delish. I know my wife really, really, really loves chocolate. A lot. More than Romeo loved Juliet. More than Kanye West loves, well, Kanye West. More than buzzards love road kill. I mean, if I were ever foolish enough to race my wife across the kitchen for the last piece of chocolate in the house, I'd fully expect to be tripped, or tricked: "Hey, isn't that a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model on our front porch?" Still, I never hear my wife say, "I love chocolate and I'm going to devour that chocolate bar." No, it's always: "I think I'll have just a tiny little corner of one small square of that chocolate bar." And that's how the poor chocolate bar gets eaten, one tiny little corner of one small square at a time. There was a time when the reluctance to profess passion for the pleasure of chocolate was rooted in the fact chocolate was considered to be a vice, its consumption decadence. However, in recent years, studies have warbled the praises of chocolate -- big bene ts to brain and heart -- and the women in our lives have been quick to recite those praises whenever a craving's kicking in. Apparently, among other things, chocolate contains avonoids -- the same antioxidants found in red wine -- that can increase blood ow and reduce high blood pressure. In case anyone thinks they need but another reason to indulge in chocolate: according to The New York Times, a new study of sports nutrition reveals "adding a little dark chocolate to a training diet may effortlessly improve endurance performance." True. One of the plant nutrients in cocoa widens the veins and arteries and improves blood ow. The `dark' side to health bene ts of chocolate Of course, there is a dark side to all this science. It's a dark side that my wife and so many other women are all too regrettably aware of. Suf ce to say, there's really no reason to explain to your better half -- a major milk chocolate lover -- the vast majority of health bene ts of chocolate pertain only to dark chocolate. Which she hates. No, there's really no need to explain. Unless you want to be on the receiving end of `The Death Stare' -- a look that tells you, you are on very shaky ground, and it would probably be best if you never ever mentioned that fact again. "Want another tiny little corner of one small square, Hon?" -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. Queens Avenue Retirement Residence · Assisted Living · 24 Hr Medic Alert · Roomy Modern Suites · Recreation Activities · Utilities & Basic Cable Included · Full Kitchens in Suites · 2 Homestyle Meals DIAMOND DIAMOND Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 9 Consecutive Years CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky Wong W For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation PERMANENTLY LOCK IN YOUR ACCOMMODATION FEE ... ASK US HOW Book a Tour... Enjoy Lunch on Us 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 1056 Queens Ave, Oakville | (905) 815.0862 www.queensavenueretirement.com | E:admin@queensavenueretirement.com Family. Together forever. Pre-select space in our elegant Last Supper Mausoleum and honour your family and faith forever. For generations to come, our modern buildings will provide for comfortable visitation in any season. Complete your mausoleum pre-planning e-planning today. Take the first step. Call now. Compression soCks... Your legs will thank You! 905-257-1100 glenoaks.ca Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Mississauga/Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. Oakville Burlington 380 Dundas St. E. 3350 Fairview St. T: 905.257.4335 T: 905.637.4335