Does Dark Chocolate on Valentine’s Day Help Your Heart?

Borrowed from RealAge Article By Marc Gillinov, M.D., and Steven Nissen, M.D.
Chocolates are everywhere on Valentine's Day. Debated by scientists for years: Is chocolate good for your heart? A Popular myth holds that chocolate is good for your heart, and that dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate. Did you know the average American consumes 14 pounds of chocolate a year?
How Does It Helps? When it comes to chocolate & the heart, the focus is on dark chocolate. Some studies suggest dark chocolate has potential heart health benefits, including decreased blood pressure & blood clotting, increased blood vessel health, and improved LDL cholesterol. In most studies, short-term use of dark chocolate causes blood vessels to expand, which in turn modestly reduces blood pressure. A study of heart transplant recipients, also, found that blood flow to the heart increased after eating dark chocolate. It is agreed that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure in the short term, but we don't really know if this translates into a long-term health benefit. Some studies suggest that people who regularly eat chocolate live longer & have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don't.
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What is the magic ingredient? Dark chocolate is rich in a group of antioxidants called flavanols, believed to be the "active" ingredient that confers chocolate's cardiovascular advantage. Experimental studies demonstrate several potential benefits of flavanols, including lowering blood pressure & reducing blood clotting. That's why dark chocolate over milk chocolate is considered for its potential heart benefits. Here's the catch: Neither the color of the chocolate nor the cocoa content necessarily correlates with its flavanol content. Flavanols impart a bitter taste, so manufacturers often remove them when processing the cocoa.
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Calories Count, Too In small amounts, chocolate can be part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. But don’t forget the calories. A standard chocolate bar contains 200 to 300 calories. And a single piece of premium chocolate from that heart-shaped box can have up to 70 calories. So, enjoy your dark chocolate in moderation. Eating dark chocolate may protect your skin from the sun. Only 100 calories everyday, says Dr. Oz.
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