Benefits of that heart-shaped box of dark chocolate

News from Harvard Health The health benefits of that heart-shaped box of dark chocolate, from Harvard Men’s Health WatchFebruary 2009

Sister4, Chocolatier extraordiare...this one is for you! : )

If your Valentine's Day plans involve picking out a box of chocolates for someone special, your best choice for your loved one’s heart might be dark chocolate. The cacao bean contains more than 400 chemicals, and many of them can affect human health. One group of chemicals, the flavonoids, are responsible for many of the protective actions of dark chocolate, reports the February issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch.

Flavonoids are present in many healthful foods, like apples and cherries, but dark chocolate is the richest source. So it’s no surprise that chocolate has attracted the interest of scientists from around the world, giving the research an international flavor. Most studies have concentrated on cardiovascular health; here are some representative findings:

Antioxidant activity. Among other beneficial actions, flavonoids protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which puts the “bad” into “bad cholesterol.” Dark chocolate reduces LDL oxidation while actually increasing levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

Endothelial function. The endothelium, the thin inner layer of arteries, is responsible for producing nitric oxide, a chemical that widens blood vessels and keeps their linings smooth. European studies have shown that dark chocolate improves endothelial function in healthy people, that flavonoid-rich cocoa can reverse the endothelial dysfunction produced by smoking, and that dark chocolate may improve coronary artery function in heart transplant patients.

Blood pressure. Studies from Italy, Argentina, Germany, and the United States show that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure, though the effect is modest. The benefit wears off within a few days of stopping “treatment” with a daily “dose” of dark chocolate.

Blood clotting. Most heart attacks and many strokes are caused by blood clots that form in critical arteries. Researchers in Switzerland and the United States found that dark chocolate reduces platelet activation, a step in clot formation.

More research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to learn if they translate into sustained health benefits. And remember that there is a dark side to dark chocolate: calories. (BUMMER : )

https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/The-health-benefits-of-that-h eart-shaped-box-of-dark-chocolate

By martzj
Posted February 12, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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yes, me again,

Spasm girls.....Did you see THIS???

Endothelial function. The endothelium, the thin inner layer of arteries, is responsible for producing nitric oxide, a chemical that widens blood vessels and keeps their linings smooth. European studies have shown that dark chocolate improves endothelial function in healthy people, that flavonoid-rich cocoa can reverse the endothelial dysfunction produced by smoking, and that dark chocolate may improve coronary artery function in heart transplant patients.

ps. nitric oxide is the main thing Viagra has going for it....it forces blood vessels to remain wide open...Women just have to consume dark chocolate? : ) How cool would this be!!! Somebody needs to find those fabulous hand made hot cocoa recipes made in the movie Chocolate!! (I never tire of that movie.....its like rolling around in chocolate bath) mmm Sister4, Calling Sister4! We need you on this one. : )

Jaynie

By grace5
Posted February 12, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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Jaynie, I just had a vision of the future, us all queuing up at the pharmacy clutching prescriptions for chocolate, a bar for depression, one for blood thining, another three for lowering blood pressure........but with our luck some boffin will find a way to extraxct the flavonoids and stuff the whole lot into a gel capsule....

By martzj
Posted February 12, 2009 at 4:04 pm
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LOL Lidia,
"some boffin will find a way to extract the flavonoids and stuff the whole lot into a gel capsule...."

Oh, the horror! hee hee
Jaynie

By martzj
Posted February 13, 2009 at 9:12 am
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Thanks Sherrie,

I'd forgotten Water For Chocolate....that was an amazing love affair with food...both book & movie.

Have a pleasant mechanic experience. : 0

Mermaid (who sees Love heading your way. I am never wrong about these things... : ) Be sure to wear pink coveralls to work on your car...

By corby
Posted February 13, 2009 at 10:07 am
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Martzi Thank you for all your information. This one is exceptionally tastey- chocolate! Happy Valentines to all you heart sisters xxxooo

By Sister4
Posted February 13, 2009 at 11:30 am
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I love you Jaynie!

And you know....here at Schakolad Chocolate Factory, we make those heart-shaped boxes out of chocolate as well. A dark chocolate box filled with dark chocolates. Sigh.

Talk to you all after Valentine's Day!!

Have a "sweet" day....well maybe semisweet would be healthier for you!! ;-)

By martzj
Posted February 13, 2009 at 11:56 am
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Sister4,
"And you know....here at Schakolad Chocolate Factory, we make those heart-shaped boxes out of chocolate as well. A dark chocolate box filled with dark chocolates. Sigh"

hahhaha! Somehow, I knew your delicious store would show up in this thread! YOu must be super busy right now for Valentine's....Wonderful!! cha ching cha ching

hugs, Jaynie

By Ecksunbeam
Posted February 13, 2009 at 7:55 pm
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Dear Mermaid, (BRAT!)

Do you want to explain to me, exactly, what I'm supposed to DO with the love coming my way?

I'm perfectly content the way I am--manless!

But I have to say, there are some darn good-looking "older" doctors around at the new hospital I volunteer at (I do the free book and magazine cart; like a candy striper.) Today I was fooling around with a grey-haired and bearded surgeon wearing a black leather jacket and ready to hop off on his 1950's Indian motorcycle. He was dressed in this gear while behind a desk doing one last check on his patients (at least he did that, LOL!) I have dubbed him Dr. Alter Ego--there's not a nurse on this planet who could get away with that! Fun! Fun! I see alot of them in the early evening when they are in their street clothes. And I must say, I love that well-groomed look on a man. UMM! UMM!

But please don't be planning on any tete ta tete's. I truly do not want to disappoint you--or me.

Now--if you could come up with William Geer . . . "Bill. . . ."

;--)

Love,

Dellie

By martzj
Posted February 14, 2009 at 2:05 pm
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Dearest Dellie,
"Do you want to explain to me, exactly, what I'm supposed to DO with the love coming my way?

I'm perfectly content the way I am--manless!"

hahaha!! Me thinks she doth protest too much....hummm. Like those leather biker guys? Well, be prepared to hang on tight girly!!! : )

Sincerely,
Brat Mermaid

By Karamon98
Posted November 5, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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Hello!

I wanted to let you guys know about a great local chocolate shop in St. Augustine Florida that makes some great stuff.

They have delicious truffles and chocolate bars, as well as various other sweets.

Promote better health with some dark chocolate and check them out at http://www.claudeschocolate.com/

Thanks!

Mark Mahon

By martzj
Posted November 5, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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thanks for the heads up.....can't possibly have too many great chocolate shops now can we : )

" European studies have shown that dark chocolate improves endothelial function in healthy people, that flavonoid-rich cocoa can reverse the endothelial dysfunction produced by smoking, and that dark chocolate may improve coronary artery function in heart transplant patients."

Wow! Smokers need to be gorging on dark chocolate and looks like chocolate may just save the world!!! : )

Jaynie

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