15 Minutes of Exercise Per Day = Longer Life

If you exercise for just 15 minutes per day you could live significantly longer, according to new research from Taiwan. Although most experts suggest that 30 minutes per day, 5 or 6 days per week, is the best option, it appears that 15 minutes of moderate exercise is almost as good -- extending life by an average of 3 years.

Researchers from Taiwan's National Health Research Institutes found that a relatively small dose of moderate exercise like brisk walking can provide big benefits. They say that it benefits men, women, old people, young people, smokers, drinkers, healthy, and unhealthy people equally. According to one research, it's a "one size fits all" healthy boosting solution.

In the study people who performed daily exercise had less cancer mortality. This supports previous research showing the cancer-fighting power of regular exercise.

We say: This is good news for lazy people. If you can't get up off the couch and do at least 15 minutes or brisk exercise every day you have a big problem. Besides helping you live a longer life, regular exercise also improves your overall quality of life dramatically!

Learn some mo': 15 minutes of fitness a day can add 3 years to your life

Brush Your Teeth to Protect Your Heart

People who brush their teeth regularly have better heart health, according to a new study. Researchers found a direct relationship between how frequently a person brushes his or her teeth and cardiovascular disease. It appears that people who don't brush very often have much higher inflammation in their bodies.

People with periodontal disease have a significantly higher risk of heart disease than people with healthy gums. Experts believe that bacterial infections in the mouth and gums raises system-wide inflammation in the body, and leads to the build up of dangerous plaque in the arteries and, eventually, serious heart disease.

Learn some mo': Toothbrushing May Stave Off Heart Woes

Eat Chocolate, Avoid a Stroke

Eating dark chocolate or natural cocoa on a regular basis may reduce your risk of having a stroke, according to a new report. Researchers found that people who eat chocolate at least once a week were about 22% less likely to have a stroke than people who didn't eat chocolate often. Researchers say that more studies are need to be absolutely sure of the link, but this new report adds to the increasing evidence that certain kinds of chocolate can actually be very good for your health!

According to Katherine Tallmadge, a dietician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association:

"More and more research is showing that [eating chocolate] is really more beneficial than we ever imagined... It's not anything major, but it's still an advantage, and even slight advantages can make a difference for some people."

Most experts believe that the health benefits of chocolate come mainly from natural antioxidant compounds found in the cocoa bean called flavonoids. Less processed and darker forms of chocolate tend to have more of these powerful phyto-chemicals. Pure, unsweetened cocoa powder is probably the best choice because it contains no sugar, has few calories, and is absolutely loaded with flavanoids!

Learn some mo': Good News About Chocolate