September/October 2004
HEALTH BYTES

Chocolate helps protect the arteries

      Two new studies have found that dark chocolate can help boost cardiovascular health. In the first study, volunteers received either 100 milligrams of dark chocolate or a placebo; researchers then measured how stiff their arteries were (stiffness of arteries is a predictive factor in cardiovascular disease). Three hours after eating the chocolate, arteries were more relaxed than in those who received a placebo. In the second study, volunteers received cocoa that was specially processed to avoid damaging the flavonoids, heart-protective antioxidants found in chocolate. Blood flow to the finger—a measure of artery health—was significantly improved after eating the cocoa.

More HEALTH BYTES