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How Toxic Is Your Valentine’s Day Gift?

By U.S. News & World Report

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, which poses a challenge for health-conscious people in all stages of romantic relationships, whether they are searching for love or have been married for decades: Buy a gift like chocolate or wine that symbolizes romance — or spare the potential impact of said gifts on your loved one’s health? Before you decide, consider what science says about the health implications of three popular Valentine’s Day indulgences:

Chocolate

Research suggests women rate jewelry and flowers, and men rate sex (surprised?), as their top desired Valentine’s Day gifts. But chances are, many of you have considered giving another standby gift to your significant other this Feb. 14: chocolate. After all, it’s not that expensive, it’s easy to find and who doesn’t like a heart-shaped box of truffles?

The only trouble may be that your significant other may not want to eat that chocolate — not because he or she doesn’t like it, but because of concerns about weight or health. On the one hand, those worries might be valid. Any chocolate consumed in excess is likely to be problematic. It’s just too calorically dense (it’s approximately 150 calories per ounce, with most servings being close to 2 ounces) to be considered a “health food.”

But on the other hand, chocolate may have some benefits. More than one study goes as far as to hint that regular chocolate consumption may be associated with longevity. A paper published recently in the International Journal of Cardiology suggests that chocolate intake may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Some preliminary research even indicates that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents found in chocolate may have a positive effect on cognitive functioning. Dark chocolate in particular has gotten press as potentially healthier than milk chocolate since it’s lower in sugar and higher in fiber, iron and magnesium — despite being higher in calories and fat.

Bottom line? You don’t have to give your significant other tofu in a heart-shaped box. Just don’t eat the whole box of candy on Feb. 14. You’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again: The key is moderation, moderation, moderation.

Wine

Maybe you and your significant other have decided against exchanging gifts. But that doesn’t mean you won’t consider going out to dinner with your Valentine. (You know that, right? Make a reservation — pronto!) Since this is a special occasion, you’ll sit down to dinner and order a bottle of wine. So, how (un)healthy is that vino?

Well, maybe it’s actually better for you than chocolate. Some research suggests that any moderate consumption of alcohol (beer, wine or spirits) may reduce your chances of having a heart attack. Red wine in particular gets a fair amount of praise, in part because it contains more polyphenols — which are believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects — than white wine. One recent media report even claimed that one glass of red wine was as good for you as going to the gym for an hour. I have a few friends who, upon seeing this, immediately suggested we cancel our gym memberships and sit around and drink wine instead.

Unfortunately, that’s probably not the best idea. In an article published in Nature, the recommendation to drink wine to improve health is refuted, with the scientists suggesting there simply is not enough evidence to make this recommendation. Plus, when it comes to red wine’s polyphenols, more isn’t necessarily better.

So, order your wine, enjoy it and celebrate with your loved one. But, don’t get in the habit of downing a whole bottle in one night if you want to optimize your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends no more than one drink per day for women and two per day for men.

Coffee

If you are single and dating, you may find yourself gulping lots of coffee this season. After all, research suggests that most people prefer a short first date, like meeting over a cocktail or cup of coffee. But is it healthy to find love over a latte?

Maybe. The Mayo Clinic suggests that the health benefits of coffee exceed the risks for most people. In fact, people who drink coffee seem to have lower mortality risks, particularly cardiovascular risks. Even decaffeinated coffee seems to do the trick.

However, it matters how much you consume. More than two to four cups of regular coffee or unfiltered coffee like espresso may have a negative effect on cholesterol levels. And, if you add in plenty of milk, cream, syrup or sugar (as I typically do), you can take a calorie-free beverage and turn it into a high-calorie, high-sugar, high-fat, low-nutrient indulgence.

So, at the end of Valentine’s Day — whether it’s marked by truffles with your girlfriend, pinot noir with your husband or a mocha with a new crush — the toxicity of your indulgence is likely negligible. But the health benefits are probably relatively small as well. Some of our favorite substances — chocolate, wine and coffee — are not unhealthy in moderation, but are unlikely to benefit us more than regularly eating well and exercising. Of course, there is plenty of research to suggest that being in a healthy romantic relationship could add years to your life, but that’s a topic for another day.

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How Toxic Is Your Valentine’s Day Gift? originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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