 |
|
A few squares of dark chocolate a day may stave off artery hardening in smokers
December 20, 2005Dark chocolate improves endothelial and platelet function Heart 2006; 92: 119-20
Dark chocolate may stave off artery hardening in smokers, and a few squares every day could potentially cut the risk of serious heart disease, finds a small study in Heart.
Researchers compared the effects of dark (74% cocoa solids) and white chocolate on the smoothness of arterial blood flow in 20 male smokers.
In smokers the activity of both endothelial cells, which line the artery walls, and platelets, which are involved in the formation of blood clots, are continuously disrupted, making the arteries susceptible to the narrowing and hardening characteristic of coronary artery disease.
Before eating 40 g of chocolate (about 2 oz), smokers were first asked to abstain from other foods rich in antioxidants, such as onions, apples, cabbage, and cocoa products for 24 hours.
After two hours, ultrasound scans revealed that dark chocolate significantly improved the smoothness of arterial flow, an effect which lasted for eight hours. Blood sample analysis also showed that dark chocolate almost halved platelet activity. Antioxidant levels rose sharply after two hours.
White chocolate had no effect on endothelial cells, platelets, or antioxidant levels.
Dark chocolate has more antioxidants per gram than other foods laden with the substances, such as red wine, green tea, and berry fruits, say the authors, who suggest that the beneficial effects of dark chocolate lie in its antioxidant content.
"Only a small daily treat of dark chocolate may substantially increase the amount of antioxidant intake and beneficially affect vascular health," conclude the authors.
BMJ Specialty Journals
In smokers the activity of both endothelial cells, which line the artery walls, and platelets, which are involved in the formation of blood clots, are continuously disrupted, making the arteries susceptible to the narrowing and hardening characteristic of coronary artery disease.
Before eating 40 g of chocolate (about 2 oz), smokers were first asked to abstain from other foods rich in antioxidants, such as onions, apples, cabbage, and cocoa products for 24 hours.
After two hours, ultrasound scans revealed that dark chocolate significantly improved the smoothness of arterial flow, an effect which lasted for eight hours. Blood sample analysis also showed that dark chocolate almost halved platelet activity. Antioxidant levels rose sharply after two hours.
White chocolate had no effect on endothelial cells, platelets, or antioxidant levels.
Dark chocolate has more antioxidants per gram than other foods laden with the substances, such as red wine, green tea, and berry fruits, say the authors, who suggest that the beneficial effects of dark chocolate lie in its antioxidant content.
"Only a small daily treat of dark chocolate may substantially increase the amount of antioxidant intake and beneficially affect vascular health," conclude the authors.
BMJ Specialty Journals
Dark Chocolate Current Events and Dark Chocolate News RSSNew study re-emphasizes natural cocoa powder has high antioxidant content
Over the past ten years, dark chocolate and cocoa have become recognized through numerous studies for flavanol antioxidant benefits.
Dark chocolate: Half a bar per week to keep at bay the risk of heart attack
Maybe gourmands are not jumping for joy. Probably they would have preferred bigger amounts to sup-port their passion. Though the news is still good for them: 6.7 grams of chocolate per day represent the ideal amount for a protective effect against inflammation and subsequent cardiovascular disease.
The benefits of green tea in reducing an important risk factor for heart disease
More evidence for the beneficial effect of green tea on risk factors for heart disease has emerged in a new study reported in the latest issue of European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.
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.
Cocoa, but not tea, may lower blood pressure
Foods rich in cocoa appear to reduce blood pressure but drinking tea may not, according to an analysis of previously published research in the April 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Northwestern chemists develop new method for synthesizing anti-cancer flavonoids
Flavonoids. You've heard of them — the good-for-your-health compounds found in plants that we enjoy in red wine, dark chocolate, green tea and citrus fruits. Mother Nature is an ace at making them, producing different ones by the thousands, but no chemist has figured out a good way to synthesize a special class of these chemicals in the laboratory. Until now.
New study suggests special cocoa may lead to sustained improvement in blood vessel function
Drinking a specially-made cocoa beverage daily may have the potential to reverse impairments in the functioning of blood vessels, according to a first-of-its-kind study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.
Boosting brain power — with chocolate
Eating chocolate could help to sharpen up the mind and give a short-term boost to cognitive skills, a University of Nottingham expert has found.
Cloudy apple juice four times healthier than clear
Cloudy apple juice is four times healthier than the clear variety, reports Sarah Scoffield in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI.
Flavanol-rich cocoa improves blood vessel function in aging baby boomer study participants
Flavanol-rich cocoa could offer powerful cardiovascular benefits for the nearly 78 million baby boomers in the United States today, suggests a new study published in the August issue of the Journal of Hypertension.
More Dark Chocolate Current Events and Dark Chocolate News Articles
 | Deep Dark Chocolate by Sara Perry Dark chocolate lovers will fall head over heels for each of the more than 60 indulgent recipes in Deep Dark Chocolate. Everyday treats include Black Magic Chocolate Espresso Cookies and Crunchy Nut Bittersweet Caramel Bars while fancy delights like Papa Haydn's Chocolate Gateau and Little Chocolate Cheesecake with Mocha Affogato offer up irresistible decadence. Whether the recipe calls for... |
 | Bitter Chocolate: The Dark Side of the World's Most Seductive Sweet by Carol Off A shocking exposé of the little-known corruption and exploitation found at the heart of the multibillion-dollar cocoa industry—blood diamond for chocolate."It's the measure of a vast gulf between the children who eat chocolate on their way to school in North America and those [in Africa] who must, from childhood, work to survive...between the hand that picks the bean and the hand that unwraps... |
 | Chocolate: A Bittersweet Saga of Dark and Light by Mort Rosenblum The delectable journey into the world of chocolate--by the award-winning author of Olives Science, over recent years, has confirmed what chocolate lovers have always known: the stuff is actually good for you. It’s the Valentine’s Day drug of choice, has more antioxidants than red wine, and triggers the same brain responses as falling in love. Nothing, in the end, can stand up to chocolate as... |
 | Obsession, Deceit and Really Dark Chocolate by Kyra Davis Sophie Katz's relationship with the irresistible and occasionally insufferable P.I. Anatoly Darinsky is on the fritz when a friend recruits Sophie's investigation skills to decode her possibly two-timing husband's strange behavior. When Sophie shows up in a short, red cocktail dress and her friend's hubby winds up dead, the loveable would-be sleuth can't help but take on the job. Suddenly... |
 | For the Love of Chocolate (Hallmark Gift Books) No matter how you say it, CHOCOLATE is the universal language of indulgence. For thousands of years, it has helped us savor life's sweet times and endure its bitter moments. Chocolate is so much a part of our lives that it takes more than three million tons of cocoa beans a year to satisfy our desire for the creamy cnfectionery. Indulge yourself and treat your friends, family, and other fellow... |
 | Desiree's Dark Chocolate Sex Secrets by Desiree Davidson Desiree Davidson has written a definitive book on the sexual hunger of White woman for Black Men. Join her on the adventures of each one of the woman portrayed in this volume of graphic erotica as they find their own way with their Black... |
 | Enlightened Chocolate: More Than 200 Decadently Light, Lowfat, and Inspired Recipes Using Dark Chocolate and Unsweetened Cocoa Powder by Camilla V. Saulsbury |
 | The Lighter Side of Dark Chocolate: Take it to Heart by George Rapitis Have high blood pressure? Try a square of dark chocolate. Worried about cardiovascular disease? Snack on some dark chocolate chips.From the time of the Aztec Indians, the cocoa bean has been cherished as a "food of the gods." They may have been on to something because in this book, George Rapitis shows how dark chocolate contains powerful flavonoids that can help promote heart health. This... |
| High-temperature storage impacts texture, flavor of dark chocolate.: An article from: Emerging Food R&D Report This digital document is an article from Emerging Food R&D Report, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2006. The length of the article is 512 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle:... | |
| Small dietary changes yield big blood pressure benefits; limit sodium, eat more veggies, and add modest amounts of soy nuts and dark chocolate to improve ... health.: An article from: Heart Advisor by Gale Reference Team This digital document is an article from Heart Advisor, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1081 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: Small... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |