The Power of Chocolate

Do you love chocolate but are afraid to eat it because you think of it as an unhealthy food? Well recent research may contradict this assumption. You’ve likely heard by now that dark chocolate is “good” for you but these benefits seem to have remained somewhat a mystery until recently. It has already been established that dark chocolate has antioxidant benefits, but a report released by the National Institute of Health reveals new evidence that dark chocolate may also have health benefits for your heart.

Researchers at Louisiana State University tested cocoa powders in a digestive tract model. The digestive tract contains two kinds of bacteria; good and bad. The researchers found that the good bacteria in the digestive tract eat chocolate, ferment it and release anti-inflammatory compounds. These anti-inflammatory compounds are then absorbed by the body and can lessen the inflammation of cardiovascular tissues, therefore reducing the risk of stroke.

On the heels of this new and exciting research linking chocolate to protective effects for the heart, comes the start of additional research into whether certain ingredients in dark chocolate could prevent heart attacks and stroke. The purpose of the study is to further investigate the relationship between cocoa flavanols and improvement in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Cocoa flavanols are naturally occurring plant-based nutrients found in chocolate. The study will include 18,000 men and women at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. This additional research is sponsored by Mars Inc., and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.  Yes, I know Mars, Inc. is a chocolate company but they have been researching the health benefits of cocoa flavanols for over 20 years.

Before you get too excited, the researchers will not be handing out chocolate bars. Instead, study participants will be given two dark chocolate pills per day that contain 750 milligrams of cocoa flavanols. Unfortunately for the participants, the pills will not taste as yummy as the commercially produced chocolate we are used to because additional ingredients such as sugar will not be included.

In order to get the same amount of cocoa flavanols given to the study participants, you would have to eat one and a half bars containing 300 calories, 22 grams of fat and 24 grams of sugar. While this is not recommended, what is recommended is having your chocolate in moderation. It is best to consume dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content and keep your portion to 1.5 – 3 ounces per day. This will give you a little delightful taste while providing some health benefits.

Now it’s your turn to take action: How will you keep your dark chocolate intake within reason?

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