SweetHearts Week has already covered the obvious topics of red wine and dark chocolate, so let’s move on to exploring the matters of the heart.

When talking about the heart, we are mainly referring to the physical aspects of the health. It is also important to address other kinds of heart “health” such as emotional and social well-being.

WebMD’s article 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Love outlines several benefits of love and romance, including better stress management, reduced risk of substance abuse, faster healing, lower blood pressure, longer life, and more.

Want the benefits of love but still looking for Mr./Mrs. Right? Check out Finding Love and Well-Being in a Wired World.

February is a banner month to discuss not only heart health but also mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder and bouts of depression are more common during the winter months and those at risk may be more susceptible, particularly around Valentine’s Day. Some college campuses refer to this as the “Valentine’s Day Curse,” as there is an increase in student suicide rates around this time of year.

For more information, here are some articles on Winter Depression:

Fending Off Depression Symptoms in Winter

Treating Winter Depression

Seasonal Mood and Hormonal Changes

New Year’s Blues (in case those resolutions didn’t work out)

More information is also available at WebMD’s Depression Center. While taking care of the physical aspects of our hearts, we need to remember to tend to the psychological and social aspects as well. Many studies have documented the connections between physical, mental, and emotion health, leading to a more comprehensive look at how depression is treated and diagnosed.

**JENN’s DISCLAIMER**
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Please note that I am not a physician. I cannot diagnose depression nor can I prescribe treatment for it. The preceding is simply the result of my own online research and personal experiences, meant to inform and entertain. If you think you may have depression, please consult your doctor or a mental health professional immediately.

As SweetHearts week continues, it’s time to talk about chocolate. Dark chocolate, to be more specific. Dark chocolate contains more cocoa than other forms of chocolate, which has flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Flavonoids have been shown to improve blood vessel function and increase blood flow in the artery.

It is not a situation of more is better, however. A small amount eaten daily over a long period of time yields the best results. Dark chocolate is heart-healthy when part of a balanced diet.

If you would like to have your chocolate and eat it too, indulge in a small piece of high quality dark chocolate instead of several pieces of a lower quality. Look for dark chocolate (sometimes called bittersweet or semisweet) with at least 70% cocoa to get the benefit of heart-healthy flavonoids.

In case you needed another reason to reach for chocolate, it also has chemical properties that can lead to romance. According to WebMD, “chocolate contains the chemicals phenylethylamine and serotonin, which are thought to be mood boosters…eating chocolate makes you feel good, even euphoric.”

To compliment your chocolate with a glass of heart-healthy red wine, check out this article on Wine and Chocolate: Perfect Partners. In general, the chocolate should not be sweeter than the wine, which makes dark chocolate ideal for red wine.

Be sure to share a glass of red wine with your SweetHeart and nibble on some dark chocolate, it will be good for both of your hearts!

To start off SweetHearts Week, let’s talk about wine. Wine is practically a prerequisite for any romantic dinner or evening. Given that many of us are planning some romantic meals later this week, we should cover some of the basics in selecting wine.

Aesthetically, red wine is more romantic than white. It is richer, heavier, and deeper that a crisp white. In a month like February with cold and gray skies, red wine provides a taste and aroma that radiates warmth.

Red wine  has long been celebrated as heart healthy and reducing the risk of heart disease. A recent study showed it may reduce the risk of lung cancer in men, particularly smokers. There is also research to suggest red wine may prevent the onset of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Here is a basic breakdown of some common red wines to help you make the best selection for dinner with your SweetHeart:

Cabernet Sauvignon: The bold red of the bunch, full of warmth and luscious flavor. This wine has big aroma, big bod, and big alcohol content. A definite favorite for Valentine’s Day, but might not be for the faint of heart.

Syrah/Shiraz: A spicy red with fruit and chocolate notes, an excellent choice to pair with pizza or burgers. If you are looking for a quality low-budget red, this is a good pick.

Merlot: The softer side of red, this smooth wine is not as bold as Cabernet but still warm and sensual. Perfect for a romantic meal, and readily available to order.

Pinot Noir: A lighter red wine and an American favorite. A bit more subtle than Merlot, but a brighter finish. A good red for wine beginners, though lacking the sensual nature and aroma of Cabernet or Merlot.

Zinfandel: Not to be confused with White Zinfandel (a pink impersonator), but a big, lush red packed with juicy fruit flavors. Great with spicy food (though not Asian cuisine). It lacks the subtle nature of some other reds, it might be overwhelming for a romantic dinner.    

Chianti:An Italian red wine, not quite as popular as the rest, quite dry and acidic. Works best with Italian cuisine, naturally, and good for the more sophisticated palates. May not be available to order in restaurants, or may be a bit more pricey than other reds.

Rose: This wine straddles the line between red and white. It is softer than a red with a color closer to pink. Perfect for fans of white wine looking to dabble on the dark side or for those trepidatious about reds.

If you are more of teetotaler, grape juice has many of the same heart healthy benefits as red wine (just look for 100% juice on the bottle). Make your own sparkling beverage by combining grape juice with club soda and garnish with mint.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so I am bringing you SweetHearts Week. Rather than the standard Bitter or Sweet, these posts will all be marked SweetHearts and pertain to all things related to love, romance, and the heart.

If you are not one to celebrate Valentine’s Day, don’t worry. There will be information on heart health in honor of the Go Red for Women campaign, which uses the month of February to call attention to heart disease in women.

For more information on the campaign, please visit Go Red for Women. You can support the cause, take the heart checkup, and connect with others.