A few squares of dark chocolate every day might cut the risk ofserious heart disease by helping to stave off the hardening ofarteries, according to a study published on Tuesday. Researchers fromUniversity Hospital in Zurich studied 20 male smokers, who are atgreater risk of hardening arteries characteristic of coronary heartdisease, to see the effects of dark and white chocolate on arterialblood flow.
The subjects, who were asked to abstain from eating foods rich in antioxidants for 24 hours, were given 40 grams (2 ounces) of chocolate to eat. After two hours, ultrasound scans revealed that dark chocolate –made up of 74 percent cocoa solids — significantly improved the smoothness of arterial flow, whilst white chocolate, with four percent cocoa, had no effect, the study published in Heart magazine said. “Only a small daily treat of dark chocolate may substantially increase the amount of antioxidant intake and beneficially affect vascular health,” they said.
This has to be the right way to start the New Year. CHOCOLATE IS GOOD! This is not the first study to show the benefits of Dark Chocolate on the heart, and I don’t think it will be the last. If we can get you do the other good things for your health we will have it made. So there is my Holiday gift. DARK CHOCOLATE IS GOOD IN MODERATION!
Dr. Benzinger
