A team of scientists from the U.S. and Germany
have pinned down one of the chemicals responsible for chocolate's positive effects on the heart. While it's been known
for some time that a group of chemicals called flavanols--found in tea, wine and cocoa--are good for the vascular
system, these recent findings identify a specific chemical, epicatechin, as linked to improved circulation and heart
health. Scientists from University of California, Davis, Harvard Medical School and the Heinrich-Heine University of
Duesseldorf, Germany published the results of their study in the January 17 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The abstract is available here.
One part of the study observed the Kuna Indians, who live on the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama. The Kuna consume several cups of flavanol-rich cocoa every day and enjoy low levels of heart disease. Scientists who observed Kuna who live on the mainland and drink far less cocoa noted that they had poorer cardiovascular health. A UC Davis release explains.
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2006 @ 5:00PM
Huffy said...
Feh! Big deal. I've been conducting my *own* exhaustive research on the heart-healthy benefits of flavanols in chocolate for years!! Take THAT, UC Davis, Harvard Medical School and Heinrich-Heine University of Dusseldorf! I'm way ahead of you . . .
Huffy
Reply
1-24-2006 @ 11:15PM
Brian said...
Is it just me or is that piece of chocolate way too dark and ugly?
Reply
1-12-2009 @ 8:23AM
Scott Bernier said...
If anyone is looking for a viable, marketable, healthy chocolate. The Xocai product line is an excellent source of antioxidants, flavanoids, epicatechins. It has 300 known chemical compounds. This product uses a patented cold pressed raw cocao and is sweetened with the Acai berry - the number 1 superfood (Dr. Pericone)
The medical advisor for this company is Dr. Warren http://www.mydrchocolate.com who has completed extensive research in this field and has spoken on several occations to the health benefits of unprocessed dark chocolate like that found in Xocai.
If you want to know more or to contact me regarding this product, visit my website http://www.scottshealthychocolate.com
Reply