The 3 Guilty Pleasures That Are Actually Good For You

For years, doctors have warned people against certain foods that are considered to be bad for your health. While some of these foods can have a detrimental effect on your health, not all guilty pleasures are bad for you. According to dozens of studies and extensive research, there are three guilty pleasures that you can indulge in that can actually be good for you. These include alcohol, chocolate and caffeine. Keep reading to learn more!


1. Alcohol
Alcohol increases HDL cholesterol levels. This is the” good cholesterol” that everyone is talking about. An increase in HDL cholesterol levels can mean a good balance between this and LDL cholesterol, which is the “bad cholesterol.” Many in the scientific community believe that combating bad cholesterol with good cholesterol can reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, a condition that leads to heart disease. In a European study performed in 2008, there was a connection between alcohol intake and higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. Moderate alcohol consumption is also thought to decrease the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia and can even protect the body against the risk of stroke. 

The secret to using alcohol for health benefits is moderation. Too much drinking can lead to health problems such as raised blood pressure and stroke. For optimal health benefits, it’s believed that men should drink one to two drinks a day and women should drink one drink a day. The guidelines for alcohol intake are 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor (80-proof). Although alcohol may increase estrogen levels in women, the risk is very small. Women who drink alcohol should also get more folic acid to offset any increase in estrogen levels (which have been linked to breast cancer). 

2. Chocolate
Chocolate is another guilty pleasure that can bring about good health. Harvard Researchers found that chocolate increases blood flow through the cerebral arteries and there have been countless studies that indicate that dark chocolate is good for relaxing blood vessels and is also helpful for the heart. Chocolate is high in calories, so again, just as is the case with alcohol, moderation is the key. And remember, for the most health benefits choose the dark variety over milk chocolate.

3. Coffee
Coffee is often vilified as earlier studies indicated that those who drank coffee were at an increased risk for a heart attack. But many of the studies performed on coffee were flawed. Newer studies show that those who drink a cup of coffee a day are actually at less risk for heart disease and stroke and may also prevent the development of Parkinson’s Disease. Coffee should be brewed, however, as unfiltered coffee does not have the same health benefits and can increase the levels of bad cholesterol. As always, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake. The good news is that coffee is no longer considered to be bad for you or lead to a heart attack or stroke. 

These three pleasures, when taken in moderation, no longer have to elicit guilt! Contrary to popular belief, alcohol, chocolate and coffee are actually better for you than you think.