Trends for February 12, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Feb. 12, 2001 | 8:56 a.m.

Lisa Ferguson is the Sun assistant features editor. Her Trends column appears Mondays. Reach her at lisa@lasvegassun.com or 259-4060.

Sweet indulgences

If you're fighting the urge to devour that heart-shaped box of candy you'd planned to give to your Valentine on Wednesday, this bit of info isn't going to make it any easier to resist: Chocolate might actually be good for your heart.

A study published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition said new evidence suggests that eating chocolate might affect cardiovascular health in a positive way.

The reason? Flavonoids, aromatic compounds naturally found in the cocoa plant. "Epidemiological studies suggest that a diet high in flavonoids is associated with the maintenance of cardiovascular health," according to a preliminary study.

The way the cocoa is handled during the manufacturing process such as fermenting, drying and roasting however, does affect the level of flavonoids found in any given piece of chocolate.

So while chocolate might do your heart a favor, it can still wreak havoc on your waistline. Moderation is the key so drop that bonbon, buddy!

Ouch!

On the other hand, Valentine's Day is the one day of the year when you don't want to have to tell your beloved, "Not tonight, Dear. I have a headache."

For that reason, the National Headache Foundation in Chicago advises that you avoid chocolate if it's a headache-free holiday you desire. Some chemicals found in chocolate are thought to trigger migraines, the organization says. Try presenting your sweety with novelty cookies and cakes instead.

Also, stay away from gifts of flowers and perfume. Their scents can also bring about a headache. Consider giving a certificate for a massage treatment, a relaxation tape or a basket of bath and beauty products.

And steer clear of certain foods aged cheeses, citrus fruits, processed meats, red wines and caffeinated beverages for the same reasons.

Morse code?

Or maybe wracking your brain for the perfect Valentine's Day present is what's causing your headache.

AT&T Wireless has something that might hold your honey over while you're shopping. The company suggests using the 2-Way Text Messaging service on its phones to send love messages in a sort of digital shorthand. Try these:

l WLL U B MN (Will you be mine?).

l ILL W8 4 U 4EVER (I'll wait for you forever).

l KRA Z 4 U (Crazy for you).

l SM1 LKS U TXT ME TO FND OUT MR (Someone likes you, text me to find out more).

l WAN2 GET 2GETHR (Want to get together?).

l I LV U MR NW THN WN U STRTD 2 RD THS MSG (I love you more now than when you started to read this message).