Last week, the world’s oldest man and one of the last surviving World War I veterans, Henry Allingham, died at the age of 113. He attributed his longevity to cigarettes, whiskey, and wild, wild women. He was joking, of course.

They - those people, the ones always giving us advice, say that we need to eat 5 portions of fruits and vegetables each day to maintain good health. Salad counts toward this.

So, what is in salad that is so good for us? Research shows that a mixed salad of lettuce carrots and other veggies contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Beta-carotene.

Vitamin A is commonly known as the anti-infective vitamin, because it is required for normal functioning of the immune system.  A also aids in maintaining good vision. Vitamin A deficiency among children in developing nations is the leading preventable cause of blindness.

Vitamin E, there are claims it is good for everything from promoting healthy skin to prevention of heart attacks.

Beta-carotene benefits include protection of the throat, mouth, and lungs from precancerous cell proliferation, among the many other claims.

On the other hand, chocolate cake with chocolate icing has many benefits. Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.  The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat which may raise good cholesterol.  Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don’t. The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.  Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.  Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites. Asthmatics should never go hiking without a a couple Hershey bars in their backpacks.

If you are getting 5 helpings of fruits and veggies in your daily diet, it probably wouldn’t hurt to have the occassional slice of chocolate cake. But if our diet consists mostly of cake and goodies, we need to shop the produce section of the grocery store and learn to eat healthier foods. It will help us live longer. This way, you might enjoy a slice of chocolate cake for your 113th birthday.

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