Is Cocoa good for cardiovascular health?

[Lorien]

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/10/1433.full

I came across the above article as part of a short course on nutrition I am doing and just wanted to share it as I found it quite interesting - it implies that cocoa ( and dark chocolate containing a high percentage of cocoa solids) can be good for your cardiovascular health and help lower blood pressure.

Brilliant! Total justification ( as if I needed it) for consuming my couple of squares a day of Green and Blacks 85% cocoa dark chocolate - or the equally nice Tesco one someone mentioned in another thread recently!

 

[Stitch147]

I had heard the same about dark (the darker the better) chocolate being good for you. Ive always preferd dark chocolate. I would always go for bourneville over dairy milk.

 

[Mark Parrott]

I recommend the 85% Ecuadorian choccy at Tescos. Reasonably priced too.

 

[Caroline]

Talking to the district nurse I was told a small amount of good quality chocolate was beneficial for all sorts of reasons. Most people seem to benefit from a chocolate treat. The organic chocolate (like Green & Blacks) and some of the continental chocolate which is higher in cocoa solids and lower in fats and sugars seem to be best. Don't get caught out by anything labelled as suitable for diabetics as it is more expensive and has all kinds of artificial sugar nasties in it. that have a very laxative effect if you eat too much

 

[T1Cathy]

I vote for that!! It's high in antioxidants too 😎 mainly I just think it's good for your mental health though 😛

 

[Matt Cycle]

I know they do chocolate with all sorts of weird and wonderful things now - chilli, sea salt etc., well what about dark chocolate with cinnamon? Diabetics would be onto a winner. 😉

 

[trophywench]

LOL Matt! It releases endorphins or something doesn't it? Or if it doesn't, we ought to do a Forum Trial (that's like a clinical trial except we don't have to get the Method past an Ethics Committee) to see how much of it and how often it's best to eat it, for maxium good effect.

Don't think there would be much forum opposition to taking part in the trial - do you?

 

[Robin]

I find it's a seriously progressive addiction. I started on 70%, progressed through 85% and I'm now on a 90% two squares a day habit.

 

[Northerner]

I find it's a seriously progressive addiction. I started on 70%, progressed through 85% and I'm now on a 90% two squares a day habit.

Yes, I've found myself spurning anything below 85% nowadays! 😱 There are some orange Club biscuits gathering dust in my fridge at the moment!