Originally published January 24 2006
Swiss research team discovers dark chocolate may protect the heart
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In the journal Heart, Swiss researchers relate their research on dark chocolate's protection against heart disease.
The men were asked not to eat foods rich in anti-oxidants - such as onions, apples and cabbage - before being fed 40g (2oz) portions of different types of chocolate.
Smokers have an increased risk of hardened arteries and heart disease.
But after two hours, ultrasound scans revealed that dark chocolate consisting of at least 74 per cent cocoa solids had "significantly improved" blood flow.
Further tests revealed that platelet activity - which can cause blood clots to form - had also halved.
White chocolate produced none of the beneficial effects.
Writing in the journal Heart today, the authors said dark chocolate had more anti-oxidants per gram than many other foodstuffs whose virtues were already recognised, such as red wine, green tea and berry fruits.
They conclude: "A small daily treat of dark chocolate may substantially increase the amount of anti-oxidant intake and beneficially affect vascular health."
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