Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
Fast Facts
TEXARKANA, Ark. – Americans are expected to show their love by spending some $17.3 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, but the heart-smartest money may be those gifts that include dark chocolate.
According to the National Retail Federation, the average person will shell out $133.91 on candy, cards, gifts dinner and other outward shows of affection, up slightly from last year’s $130.97.
Now, while money can’t buy you love, a gift of dark chocolate may buy you a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, says Carla Haley-Hadley, Miller County extension agent with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“If you are a chocolate lover, then Valentine’s Day is a day you probably love,” she said.
And there can be great news in those boxes and bags of heavenly goodness.
“Researchers have found that the main flavonoids found in cocoa are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease,” Hadley said.
Flavonoids are a subgroup of polyphenols, and within the flavonoid chemical hierarchy the flavan-3-ols (flavanols) are particularly high in dark chocolate and cocoa. Cocoa contains the same nutrients found in other plant foods, including minerals and specific antioxidants that help ward off diseases such as heart disease.
Antioxidants are important to our overall health because they help the body’s cells resist damage caused by free radicals. We consider free radicals the “bad guys”. They are the things we want to reduce in our body that cause plague formation on arterial walls and leads to increases in LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels.
“However, you cannot eat the entire box or bag of dark chocolate and claim it’s for your health,” she said. “It doesn't work that way. Potential health benefits need to be balanced with caloric intake.”
Dark chocolates seem to have the highest level of flavonoids, because they have gone through few processing steps. On the other hand, milk chocolate has been processed many times and therefore many of the flavonoids are missing.
As with all foods, we still should consume chocolate in small amounts and balance it with healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals, including fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
For more information about healthy eating, contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Please note that some of your bookmarks may change in the coming months as the extension service renovates its website.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
February 12, 2014
By The Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary HightowerExtension Communications SpecialistU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service(501) 671-2126mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links