Healthy Chocolate

The Science of Chocolate (studies)

Most people associate chocolate with junk foods, and undesirable health effects such as obesity, acne and cavities. The truth is that science has, and continues to validate that chocolate can provide beneficial properties making it a great addition to an effective wellness regimen. Here are just a few recent studies that highlight some key findings.

  • "Dark chocolate supports coronary vascular function...These immediate beneficial effects were paralleled by a significant reduction of oxidative stress."
    - Circulation. 2007 Nov 20;116(21):2376-82.
  • "A single acute serving of flavanol-rich cocoa showed that flavanol-rich cocoa can increase cerebral blood flow."
    - Journal Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2006;47 Suppl 2:S215-20
  • "We conclude that [cocoa procyanidins] are potent stimulators of both the innate immune system and early events in adaptive immunity."
    - Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2007 Feb;232(2):293-300
  • "These results indicate that cocoa may possess potential effects on blood-glucose levels."
    - Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2005 Apr 8;98(1-2):55-60
  • "Dietary flavanols from cocoa contribute to improved [skin] blood circulation, and affect cosmetically relevant skin surface variables."
    - Journal of Nutrition. 2006 Jun;136(6):1565-9.
  • "Increasing evidence from experimental and clinical studies using cocoa-derived products and chocolate suggest an important role for these high-flavanol foods in heart and vascular protection."
    - Nutrition Reviews. 2006 Me;64(3):109-18.