One of my favorite research announcements at this year’s American College of Cardiology Meeting in New Orleans was that daily cocoa is good for your heart. Especially the way we make our hot cocoa in The Good Mood Diet.
Researchers from Yale Prevention Research Center conducted a small clinical study that showed that dark chocolate improves the function of blood vessels. They said the findings of the trial were clear. As with all scientific investigation, larger studies will be needed to confirm the results.
Dr. Valentine Yanchou Njike, one of the researchers, explained that, "In this sample of healthy adults, dark chocolate ingestion over a short period of time was shown to significantly improve (blood vessel) function." During the six-week trial, 45 people were given 8 ounces (227 grams) of cocoa without sugar, cocoa with sugar, or a placebo each day. The results:
Accomodation of the the artery in the upper arm to increased blood flow improved:
- 2.4% in the subjects who were given cocoa without sugar
- 1.5% in those who received cocoa with sugar
- dropped by 0.8% in those who received the placebo
"While the findings from this study do not suggest that people should start eating more chocolate as part of their daily routine, it does suggest that we pay more attention to how dark chocolate and other flavonoid-rich foods might offer cardiovascular benefits," Njike said.
Sounds like a good idea to me, with a side effect of improved mood. Now that’s gotta make you feel good!
Yours in a Good Mood,
Dr. Susan Kleiner