Posted on 07/06/2005 8:54:28 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Chocolate lovers, researchers have good news for you. A new study reveals dark chocolate may have positive health benefits for the cardiovascular systems of healthy people.
Scientists at Athens Medical School examined the effects of dark chocolate – a sweet high in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants – on blood vessel function in 17 young, healthy volunteers.
In the three hours following consumption of the chocolate, researchers found a 7-percent decrease in aortic stiffness. An artery in the arm also dilated significantly more in response to an increase in bloodflow.
The elasticity and stiffness of arteries are “determinants of cardiovascular performance and are predictors of cardiovascular risk,” according to the study.
Researchers attributed the changes to "improved nitric oxide bioavailability, prostacyclin increase, direct effect of chocolate in smooth muscle cells, or activation of central mechanisms,” as opposed to the antioxidant qualities of the food.
Researchers have previously analyzed dark chocolate for other possible health benefits, including a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggesting the treat could improve glucose metabolism and decrease blood pressure.
The authors of the study recommend further investigation to assess any long-term effects of dark chocolate consumption.
LOL! Reminds me of an old "Wizard of Id" comic when someone asked the wizard what a bikini looked like on his wife, and he replied, "like two rubber bands on an egg." I've always loved that visual!
Who wouldn't? Next week, it'll be found to cause Cancer! Blackbird.
mmmm... a good Merlot and Droste pastilles....
Best "news" I've heard in months. :-)
Absolutely! I have a little stash of some type of dark chocolate that my wife picked up while she was in europe last month that I am saving for the proper wine to come along (meaning one that isn't in a box). I had to hide the bar from my wife or else I'd have to have the wine by itself. The best dark chocolate that I have found is Dove.
You must frequent some fancy restaurants, sommeliers and such. The ones I can afford usually have someone suggesting that I have 'fries with that'.
If you stay away from the fast food places and from abominations like Red Lobster, by the end of the month you'll have saved enough to go to a NICE place.
"LUUUUUUKE, come to the dark side of the chocolate."
Does Reeses Peanut butter cups qualify?
See, I wasn't making it up. Antioxidants and everything.
I would eat chocolate if it was suddenly discovered to cause cancer, made me sterile, balding and cross-eyed, or was made illegal. (See my tagline.)
*Pops Handful of M&Ms*
The bad news is that it will give you cancer. (j/k)
What about the beans themselves? Dangerous?
They are dangerous to dogs, I believe.
Dogs don't metabolize one of the active compounds and their hearts are over-stimulated to the point of stoppage.
Of course, I've seen some dogs eat plenty of choclate and nothing happened to them.
True, my dog sneaks any chocolate he can get. There is probably an amount that would be too much, and that would vary with the dog.
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