According to a study from the University of California-Davis and the university of Dusseldorf in Germany confirmed that “the compound epicatechin found in cocoa is directly linked to vasodilation and improved circulation and other hallmarks of cardiovascular function.”

In other words, chocolate, specifically the dark variety (my favorite!), is good for the cardiovascular system because it improves circulation and lowers blood pressure.

Reliable? Or another justification on consuming vast amounts of dark chocolate (guilty!)

Have no idea if it is true, but I would definitely want to believe it, just to be able to keep consuming chocolates without any guilt.

A Japanese study suggests that dark chocolate can improve blood flow to heart muscle. Studies have shown that the sweet treat can also lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of diabetes. Dark chocolate is rich in a potent flavonoid known as cacao polyphenol, while the white chocolate contained no flavonoids.

That's not to say we can indulge in dark chocolate with freedom from harm, we still need to balance the fats and calories of candy bar against the benefits of flavonoids according to American Heart Association.

I think it has been known for a number of years that dark chocolate has health benefits due to the flavonoids. You should look for dark chocolate that has 70% or higher cocoa mass on the label as these are the richest in flavonoids.

Hoorah!! This is great news! I already buy a fairtrade dark chocolate that has 89% cocoa mass- it tastes a lot better that "normal" chocolate too.

There are actually several health benefits to eating chocolates. They also have antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals.

while Im not sure on dark chocolates health benefits (as per what has been discussed here so far); I am quite confident that if body compostion is your goal, chocolate need not be in your diet....

Well, if you can't get rid of chocolate completely, I guess dark is the least evil. (and it's my favorite!)

Benefits of eating chocolate. Lower blood pressure, regulates blood circulation, prevents indigestion and stimulate kidneys.

johnmichael - 06 October 2008 09:19 PM

Benefits of eating chocolate. Lower blood pressure, regulates blood circulation, prevents indigestion and stimulate kidneys.

You mention " stimulate the kidneys ". Is it true that dark chocolate is good for diabetics?

Dark chocolates for diabetes is an apologue. They have sugar and still it will raise your blood sugar level.

joe_888 - 24 April 2009 12:26 AM

Dark chocolates for diabetes is an apologue. They have sugar and still it will raise your blood sugar level.

I have done some research since my last entry regarding dark chocolate. It's more than wishful thinking — chocolate can be good for you. Despite its "sweet" reputation, chocolate has a low glycemic index — the measure of a food's impact on blood sugar levels.

Studies show that eating chocolate, primarily dark chocolate, may contribute to improved cardiovascular health. Packed with natural antioxidants, dark chocolate and cocoa sit in the same good-for-you category as green tea and blueberries. That's because chocolate comes from cacao beans (or cocoa beans), which grow on the cacao tree and are full of natural plant nutrients. Most of the studies to date highlight dark chocolate's health values because it has the highest percentage of cocoa solids, therefore more flavanol antioxidants.

For people at risk for diabetes, these same flavanols may also help restore more normal function in cells to better control blood sugar. Insulin is the key that unlocks the door of a cell to allow sugar to enter and provide energy. When a condition called insulin resistance develops, the normal amount of insulin your body produces no longer works well. The cells can't open up to pull sugar out of the bloodstream — resulting in higher levels of sugar in the blood. Scientists believe flavanols trigger the production of nitric oxide inside the cells, which stimulates the cell to accept sugar again.

Cj, I see your point that dark chocolates can be a supplement for cardiovascular diseases. It’s still chocolate if the sugar and fattening agent would be lessened then I would consider this healthy.

What other health benefits we can get from dark chocolates?

joe_888 - 29 April 2009 12:04 AM

Cj, I see your point that dark chocolates can be a supplement for cardiovascular diseases. It’s still chocolate if the sugar and fattening agent would be lessened then I would consider this healthy.

One of the reasons that an occasional chocolate bar is OK is the fact that the sugar in chocolate is absorbed more slowly than that found in many seemingly innocuous foods, such as white bread and even mashed potatoes. This means that the body has a bit more time to deal with the rise in blood sugar caused by sugar. It is important to keep in mind, however, that too much chocolate can lead to obesity.

It is possible for those suffering from diabetes to further slow down the absorption of the chocolate they enjoy by eating that chocolate treat as part of a meal, or enjoying it as a post meal dessert. The food in your stomach will help to further delay the absorption of the sugar, thus helping to mitigate the resulting rise in blood glucose levels.

So the bottom line is this - chocolate can form a part of a healthy diet, even if you suffer from diabetes. The key to enjoying these sweet treats while still staying healthy is to eat everything, including chocolate, in moderation. Too much of anything, whether it is white bread, potato chips or chocolate, can be harmful, resulting not only in complications from diabetes but in obesity as well. We all know that obesity is a serious health concern, and obesity is particularly dangerous to those who suffer from chronic health conditions like diabetes.

The research shows that it is not as harmful, in moderation of course, as one would think.

Yes, that’s also what I want to encourage here. Chocolate is good but don’t eat it too much just in moderation.

Are there any benefits we get from chocolate aside from being a good defense for hypertension?

I think the only benefit of chocolate is for heart diseases. It can also cause acne because of fats in the chocolate.

The only benefits I know of for chocolates are good for people with hypertension and an aphrodisiac.