Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate for Healthy Blood Vessels

New research on dark chocolate further confirms its contributions to blood vessel health.

Researchers from Yale Prevention Research Center, Derby, CT, explained that previous studies have suggested cardioprotective benefits of dark chocolate containing cocoa.

The study examined the acute effects of solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa intake on endothelial (blood vessel) function and blood pressure in overweight adults.

In phase 1, subjects were randomly assigned to consume a solid dark chocolate bar (containing 22 grams cocoa powder) or a cocoa-free placebo bar (containing 0 grams cocoa powder). In phase 2, subjects were randomly assigned to consume sugar-free cocoa (containing 22 grams cocoa powder), sugared cocoa (containing 22 grams cocoa powder) or a placebo (containing 0 grams cocoa powder).

The study found that solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa ingestion improved endothelial function compared with placebo. Additionally, blood pressure decreased after the ingestion of dark chocolate and sugar-free cocoa compared with placebo. Endothelial function improved significantly more with sugar-free than with regular cocoa.

The authors concluded that both solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa improved endothelial function and lowered blood pressure in overweight adults.

References

1.Faridi Z, Njike VY, Dutta S, et al. Acute dark chocolate and cocoa ingestion and endothelial function: a randomized controlled crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jul;88(1):58-63. View Abstract

2.Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. http://www.naturalstandard.com/
 
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