cent. Also, wine should not be taken with other drugs, or by people
with certain illnesses, and is not recommended for pregnant women.
Although wine gives a relaxed feeling, any alcohol can disturb sleep
if consumed shortly before bedtime. Studies of biological circadian
rhythms in humans show that alcohol is best metabolized between 5
and 6 pm. If you enjoy wine, be sure to ask your doctor whether it
poses any health problems for you.
Caffeine: Coffee and Tea
Many people use caffeine as a drug, as a means of getting more “ener-
gy.” If this is the case with you, you may be addicted. And if you need
a drug to give you a pick-up, your fat-burning system may not be
working very well. Caffeine can also induce adrenal, liver and nerv-
ous-system stress, and create unstable blood-sugar levels in many
people. As with everything else, you must determine whether your
body can tolerate caffeine from coffee or tea. If you can, there are
some important considerations. Buy your coffee beans as freshly
roasted as possible, keep enough in your cabinet in a tightly sealed
glass container and the rest in the freezer. Grind them just before you
make the coffee. The lighter roasts have more caffeine, and the dark-
er roasts less. Just as with fruits and vegetables, it’s best to choose
organic coffee to avoid pesticides and other chemicals.
Many health benefits have been associated with both green and
black tea, including anti-cancer properties, since they contain a vari-
ety of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Once again, organic tea is bet-
ter than conventional as tea growers may use many pesticides.
Good News for Cocoa Lovers
The evidence is growing that cocoa is a powerful therapeutic food.
Including this treat in the diet may do more than satisfy a craving —
it may also help to improve health. Cocoa can help lower blood pres-
sure and improve cardiovascular health. The flavanols found in
cocoa, purple grape juice and tea can stimulate processing of nitric
oxide, which promotes healthy blood flow and blood pressure, and
cardiovascular health. In addition, recent research confirms other
studies indicating that flavanol-rich cocoa may work much like
aspirin to promote healthy blood flow by preventing blood platelets
from sticking together.
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY • 169