Good news for chocolate lovers!

Today while doing my research on healthy chocolate I find many good articles, this is just one of the good ones.

Research to date suggests three mechanisms by which chocolate or cocoa flavonoids may benefit the heart:

1. Antioxidant Protection

In the "ORAC" test (considered the gold standard for measuring the antioxidant power of foods), a dark chocolate bar and a milk chocolate bar scored much higher than black tea, green tea or one half cup of blueberries. Preliminary research (test tube studies) suggests that chocolate or cocoa flavonoids may protect the heart by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL (oxidized LDL is much more likely to result in the formation of plaque on the artery wall). In a recent clinical study from the University of California at Davis, participants consumed one, two or three servings of M&M's semisweet baking bits (one serving = 35 g). As the amount of chocolate consumed increased, there was an increase in chocolate flavonoids in the blood as well as a corresponding decrease in markers associated with lipid oxidation damage.

2. Reduced Platelet Activity

In another clinical study from the University of California at Davis, participants consumed a flavonoid-rich cocoa beverage, After two and six hours, there was a decrease in markers associated with platelet aggregation and adhesion (stickiness of the blood), Both platelet aggregation and adhesion are associated with a higher risk of plaque formation on the artery wall. In addition, there was a significant increase in the time it took for the blood to clot (this was described by researchers as an aspirin-like effect on the blood).

3. Relaxation of Blood Vessel Wall

Preliminary studies in isolated animal tissues also suggest that cocoa or chocolate flavonoids may protect the heart by relaxing the inner surface of blood vessel walls. Flavonoids in chocolate appear to exert this effect by increasing concentrations of nitric oxide. Vascular relaxation is an important measure of heart health.

For the complete article on this, go to:http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3961/is_200104/ai_n8933148
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