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Dark Chocolate Still Holds Up to Be Healthy for You
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Already know to contain healthy polyphenols, new research suggests that the cocoa in dark chocolate may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels while preventing diabetes and improving the health of blood vessels.
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March 26, 2011--
Chocolate lovers rejoice.
New research suggests that the cocoa ingredient found abundantly in dark chocolate may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels while preventing diabetes and improving the health of blood vessels.
The study relied on mostly sugar-free dark chocolate. Participants who ate the chocolate, which contained cocoa rich in substances known as polyphenolic flavonoids improved their blood pressure. Meanwhile LDL cholesterol was lower while HDL cholesterol was higher.
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Dark chocolate has been found to be healthy, but in moderation. The trick is to break the bar into chunks and have just one piece a few times during the week.
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Past studies have already determined that chocolate contains polyphenols, the same kinds of antioxidants found in red wine and green tea; stearic acid; and flavonoids, which reduce the stickiness of platelets, inhibiting blood clotting and reducing the danger of coronary artery blockages.
Chocolate is believed to increase blood flow to the brain, and it may also improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, thus reducing diabetes risk.
It's the Dark Chocolate, Dummy
The benefits of chocolate lie with dark chocolate, not the sugary milk chocolate displayed at the counters of convenience stores. Those products contain far too much sugar and would offset any health gains by the cocoa they contain.
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The greater the percentage of cocoa, the higher the concentration of health promoting flavonoids. Most milk chocolate contains up to 50% cocoa, while some inexpensive chocolates contain as little as 7% cocoa. Look for dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to maximize the flavonoids.
Since there is so much less sugar, the dark chocolate may take a little getting used to.
The Downside of Chocolate
Although these findings are good news for chocolate lovers, take all things in moderation.
Eating too much chocolate can lead to weight gain, which might cancel out any beneficial effects that chocolate bestows. For example A standard-sized bar of Hershey's Dark Chocolate has 531 calories, compared with 150 calories from an ounce of dark chocolate or about six Hershey's Kisses.
These findings are not a license to overindulge. People should try limit themselves to an ounce of pure dark chocolate just a few times a week.
About the Study
The findings, which came from an analysis of data from 21 high-quality studies that included a total of 2,575 participants, were presented at an American Heart Association conference in Atlanta.
Posting date: 03/26/11
Source: HealthDay News
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