Dark Chocolate- Good for the Heart

(Source Author Unknown)

Chocoholics have been receiving good news lately, as more research confirms the benefits of cocoa and the chocolate products made from cocoa. Researchers have found dark chocolate has the most benefit, while milk and white chocolate have little effect. Recently, a group in Switzerland published their findings in 25 “healthy” smokers, where they measured endothelial (inner lining of blood vessels) function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) two hours after ingesting either dark (74% cocoa) or white (4% cocoa) chocolate. FMD improved statistically in subjects consuming dark chocolate while shear stress-dependent platelet adhesion was reduced, compared to subjects consuming white chocolate. Total antioxidant status also improved in the dark chocolate group. [Abstract]

 We are likely to see much more research on various polyphenolic components found in cocoa and chocolate. Certainly, recruiting for long-term studies should not be difficult.

· Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensives. Hypertension. 2005 Aug;46(2):398-405.

· Effect of dark chocolate on arterial function in healthy individuals. Am J Hypertens. 2005 Jun;18(6):785-91.

· Suppressive effect of cocoa powder on atherosclerosis in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic rabbits. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2005;12(1):20-8.