Kissing Facts
- A typical French (open-mouthed) kiss uses 29 facial muscles.
- Your lips are 100 times more sensitive than the tips of your fingers.
- The secret of having a happy, successful and long life is to kiss your partner before you leave the house every day, according to one German study.
Go ahead and buy that box of chocolates
Chocolate might not be low in calories, but there’s plenty about it that’s good for you. Dark chocolate containing more than 70 percent cacao is loaded with potent antioxidant flavonols, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins, all of which help to slow the growth of cancer cells. Eating chocolate may also lower cholesterol levels, prevent cognitive decline, reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems and benefit fetal growth and development. A little dark chocolate might even help boost oxygen during fitness training by enhancing the release of nitric oxide in the body.
100
The number of calories burned by men during an average sex session, according to the journal PLOS ONE. Women burn about 69 calories. The number varies by the amount of time spent … ahem, active … under the sheets, so use this Valentine’s Day to your advantage!
20%
The percentage your blood flow increases just from laughing, which is good for your heart.
100,000
The number of pastel-colored candy hearts sold each year. The Necco-made candies, which have romantic mottos like “Be Mine” printed on them, have been associated with Valentine’s Day since 1902.
A special stamp of love
Have your Valentine’s Day card for a far-away loved one specially stamped by the nation’s Sweetheart City. Through its 73-year-old Valentine Re-Mailing Program, volunteers in Loveland, Colo., will hand stamp a message of love on your envelope. To get the message love-stamped, send pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentines in a large, first-class envelope to Postmaster-Attention Valentines, 446 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538-9998 before Feb. 7th. Valentines will be stamped and remailed to the intended recipient.
Commit your heart
February not only includes Valentine’s Day. It’s also American Heart Month, a month-long observance to raise awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. To help your heart, make a commitment to yourself and encourage your loved ones to eat healthier and make physical activity a priority.