Cocoa is the new red wineAugust 10, 2005Cocoa shows benefits for coronary heart disease Throughout history, cocoa has been described as a medicine for many ailments. New research suggests that cocoa may also have a beneficial effect on heart disease and stroke. A research team in Southampton in England, led by Dr Denise O'Shaugnessy, has shown that drinking a cup of cocoa can prevent potentially fatal blood clots. Dr O'Shaughnessy will present this data at the XXth Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis & Haemostasis in Sydney tomorrow. When blood clots lodge in our brain or heart there are potentially fatal consequences such as stroke or heart attack. Cells in our blood called platelets are necessary for clotting to occur and O'Shaughnessy's research team showed that cocoa inhibits platelet function.
O'Shaughnessy said, "Cocoa contains a substance called flavinoids, which are also present in red wine. Flavinoids can be preventive for coronary heart disease; however our research has uncovered another ingredient in cocoa which may be responsible for the platelet inhibition. This finding may well lead to important new therapies to prevent heart disease and stroke. But it may also mean that a nice hot cup of cocoa may also take on new importance for people in high risk categories." BLOOD TYPES and DVT - DO THEY MATTER? Research out of the Netherlands has shown that your blood type can increase the risk of suffering deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood types in humans include A, B, AB or O. The study showed that people with blood type A, B or AB had an increased risk of DVT. Researcher, Dr Vania Morelli, from the Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands, said "A non-O blood type strongly increases the risk in people who carry a variant of a protein (called Factor V Leiden) involved in blood clotting. This variant protein is found in around 3% of people of European descent". "Our research suggests that information on blood type may have a role in the management of DVT, especially in carriers of this variant protein. It is obviously important to know what your blood group is!" said Morelli. Dr Morelli will present this research at the XXth Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis & Haemostasis in Sydney tomorrow. Research Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Related Cocoa News Articles Researchers link cocoa flavanols to improved brain blood flow Cocoa flavanols, the unique compounds found naturally in cocoa, may increase blood flow to the brain, according to new research published in the Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment journal. The researchers suggest that long-term improvements in brain blood flow could impact cognitive behavior, offering future potential for debilitating brain conditions including dementia and stroke. Study indicates grape seed extract may reduce cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease A compound found in grape seed extract reduces plaque formation and resulting cognitive impairment in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, new research shows. The study appears in the June 18 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. Cocoa could be a healthy treat for diabetic patients For people with diabetes, sipping a mug of steaming, flavorful cocoa may seem a guilty pleasure. But new research suggests that indulging a craving for cocoa can actually help blood vessels to function better and might soon be considered part of a healthy diet for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Natural compounds in cocoa tied to blood flow improvements for adults with type 2 diabetes Scientists have found that consuming cocoa flavanols - naturally occurring compounds in cocoa - may offer a benefit to those affected by type-2 diabetes. Chocolate bar shown to lower cholesterol The results of a University of Illinois study have demonstrated an effective way to lower cholesterol levels - by eating chocolate bars. New aluminum-rich alloy produces hydrogen on-demand for large-scale uses Purdue University engineers have developed a new aluminum-rich alloy that produces hydrogen by splitting water and is economically competitive with conventional fuels for transportation and power generation. Winemaking waste proves effective against disease-causing bacteria in early studies A class of chemicals in red wine grapes may significantly reduce the ability of bacteria to cause cavities, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Researchers study potential health benefits of natural chemicals in muscadine grape seeds Could some of the natural chemicals found in plants be powerful enough to improve cardiovascular health" Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center are conducting the first-ever clinical study to evaluate the potential cardiovascular health effects of Nature's Pearl Muscadine Grape Seed Supplement. Kids still not drinking enough milk American children are drinking too little milk and what they are consuming is too high in fat, according to a Penn State study. Nice but naughty -- our addiction to chocolate Chocolate is the most widely and frequently craved food. People readily admit to being 'addicted to chocolate' or willingly label themselves as 'chocoholics'. A popular explanation for this is that chocolate contains mood-enhancing (psychoactive) ingredients that give it special appeal. More Cocoa News Articles |
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