Chocolate: Panacea for Happiness and Health
Dark Chocolate, replete with bioflavonoids, contributes to
improved cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) health,
according to Dr. Mary Engler of the University of California
at San Francisco, School of Nursing.
improved cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) health,
according to Dr. Mary Engler of the University of California
at San Francisco, School of Nursing.
Her salubrious conclusion refers to the results of a study1
she and her co-investigators conducted on some lucky
volunteers who got to eat chocolate during the full time
period of their experiment.
she and her co-investigators conducted on some lucky
volunteers who got to eat chocolate during the full time
period of their experiment.
Two groups of chocolate lovers were instructed to
eat one bar of dark chocolate (amounting to 1.6 oz.)
q.d. (daily) for 14 days. One group was given dark
chocolate bars - usually highest in cocoa content,
compared with milk chocolate for example - that
contained its natural high level of flavonoids,
the targeted active ingredient known as
epicatechin.
eat one bar of dark chocolate (amounting to 1.6 oz.)
q.d. (daily) for 14 days. One group was given dark
chocolate bars - usually highest in cocoa content,
compared with milk chocolate for example - that
contained its natural high level of flavonoids,
the targeted active ingredient known as
epicatechin.
The second group was fed what appeared to be
the same dark chocolate of the same weight and at
the same daily dosage for two weeks as well. Except
that, unbeknownst to the subjects in either group, the
flavonoids from the dark chocolate bars eaten by the
group 2 subjects were removed.
the same dark chocolate of the same weight and at
the same daily dosage for two weeks as well. Except
that, unbeknownst to the subjects in either group, the
flavonoids from the dark chocolate bars eaten by the
group 2 subjects were removed.
The object of the study by Dr. Engler and her
colleagues was to compare, by various
cardiovascular tests, how the flavonoid and
nonflavonoid chocolate-eating subjects fared.
colleagues was to compare, by various
cardiovascular tests, how the flavonoid and
nonflavonoid chocolate-eating subjects fared.
Blood Vessel Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Bioflavonoids are known to forestall
inflammation within blood vessel walls triggered
by immune system reactions. Concomitantly,
they also prevent atherosclerotic (fatty,
hardening) conditions from forming by
controlling the deposition of cholesterol
intravascularly as well.
inflammation within blood vessel walls triggered
by immune system reactions. Concomitantly,
they also prevent atherosclerotic (fatty,
hardening) conditions from forming by
controlling the deposition of cholesterol
intravascularly as well.
Thus flavonoids, and therefore dark chocolate,
decrease coagulatory (clotting) responses
thereby minimizing thrombus (clot) formation.
In other words, somewhat like aspirin, dark
chocolate thins the blood, preventing the
thickening that produces thrombi.
decrease coagulatory (clotting) responses
thereby minimizing thrombus (clot) formation.
In other words, somewhat like aspirin, dark
chocolate thins the blood, preventing the
thickening that produces thrombi.
Dangers of Atherosclerotic Deposits
This positive flavonoid action is crucial because
thrombi can loosen and travel via the circulatory
system to the heart, causing a heart attack; to
the brain, causing a stroke; and to the peripheral
vessels in the legs causing a venous (of the veins)
thrombus which can loosen and travel to the lungs.
All three of these potential conditions can be fatal.
thrombi can loosen and travel via the circulatory
system to the heart, causing a heart attack; to
the brain, causing a stroke; and to the peripheral
vessels in the legs causing a venous (of the veins)
thrombus which can loosen and travel to the lungs.
All three of these potential conditions can be fatal.
Bearing in mind that vessels at risk of
atherosclerosis tend toward more rigidity, with greater
constriction of the lumen (the hollow path within
a blood vessel), this will lead to restricted blood flow
and deprivation to vital bodily organs of needed
nutrients and oxygen. And such vascular pathology
will promote hypertension (high blood pressure) -
a silent inducer of CVAs (cerebrovascular
accidents = strokes), MIs (myocardial infarctions
= heart attacks), and kidney disease.
atherosclerosis tend toward more rigidity, with greater
constriction of the lumen (the hollow path within
a blood vessel), this will lead to restricted blood flow
and deprivation to vital bodily organs of needed
nutrients and oxygen. And such vascular pathology
will promote hypertension (high blood pressure) -
a silent inducer of CVAs (cerebrovascular
accidents = strokes), MIs (myocardial infarctions
= heart attacks), and kidney disease.
Subjects Eating Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate
had Healthier Blood Vessels...
had Healthier Blood Vessels...
Thus, normally dilating arteries permit increased
blood flow and reduced probability of the dire conditions
just mentioned. And this study demonstrated a healthier
vascular dilatation-constriction process in the flavonoid
subject group.
blood flow and reduced probability of the dire conditions
just mentioned. And this study demonstrated a healthier
vascular dilatation-constriction process in the flavonoid
subject group.
...and Other Studies Report Antihypertensive
and Anticancer Effects of Dark Chocolate
and Anticancer Effects of Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate has also been shown, in other studies,
to lower blood pressure and to have some anticancer
protective properties.
to lower blood pressure and to have some anticancer
protective properties.
So, dosing yourself with some squares of dark
chocolate a day may be one of the most enjoyable
medical regimens people can follow as prophylaxis
against two of the most widespread life-threatening
conditions in the world - heart disease and cancer.
chocolate a day may be one of the most enjoyable
medical regimens people can follow as prophylaxis
against two of the most widespread life-threatening
conditions in the world - heart disease and cancer.
1. Engler, RN,PhD, Mary B.: J. Amer. Coll. Nutrition,
Vol. 23, (June) 2004, pp. 197-204.
Vol. 23, (June) 2004, pp. 197-204.
© copyright 2008 to 2015 by Dr. Helen Borel.
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
For permissions or rights, email me here:
medical-healthalerts@earthlink.net and type
into the Subject line "BOREL MEDICAL SYNDICATE"
medical-healthalerts@earthlink.net and type
into the Subject line "BOREL MEDICAL SYNDICATE"
*For FREELANCE WRITING on MEDICAL,
PSYCHIATRIC, Rx PHARMACEUTICAL and
PSYCHOTHERAPY subjects, contact me at:
PSYCHIATRIC, Rx PHARMACEUTICAL and
PSYCHOTHERAPY subjects, contact me at:
medical-healthalerts@earthlink.net
*For TOP QUALITY PSYCHOTHERAPY
at LOW, GRANT-SUBSIDIZED FEES contact me at:
at LOW, GRANT-SUBSIDIZED FEES contact me at:
emotional_health@earthlink.net
No comments:
Post a Comment