 |
|
|
|
|
Chocolate Does a Man's Heart Good
|
| | | | Related Healthscout Videos | |
|
Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 One expert said the study helps confirm the use of cocoa as part of a healthful diet.
"Cocoa is the most concentrated source of bioflavonoid antioxidants readily available in our diets," said Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health, and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine.
"An accumulating body of evidence suggests that this translates into health benefits for those who consume cocoa or dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 60 percent or more. Benefits have been seen in endothelial function, a measure of blood vessel health, blood pressure, insulin levels, and serum lipids," added Katz, author of The Flavor Point Diet.
Text Continues Below
The evidence is now very consistent that cocoa has health-promoting effects, Katz said.
"However, it is almost certainly dose-dependent," he added, cautioning that there's a calorie-rich downside to excessive cocoa consumption. "Cocoa comes in foods that tend to be energy-dense, and the harm of excess calories could readily offset the benefit of antioxidants."
And he stressed that cocoa's heart-healthy benefits only come from bittersweet dark chocolate and in concentrated cocoa beverages, which contain an effective dose of antioxidants, along with magnesium, arginine and fiber.
"This is not the case for milk chocolate, which contains potentially harmful saturated fats, or candy bars that dilute cocoa with a long list of other ingredients," Katz said.
More information
For more on high blood pressure, head to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org ).
Page: << Prev | 1 | 2
|
Copyright © 2006 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 2/27/2006
| | • | MyHeartCentral.com - Get detailed information on heart disease. Site offers latest news and expert advice on heart disease symptoms, treatment, and prevention – Learn what role cholesterol plays in heart disease. Coronary heart disease. | | • | CholesterolNetwork.com - Get information about Cholesterol – High cholesterol levels, low cholesterol diets, lowering cholesterol, LDL, HDL, testing, medication, medicine, cholesterol and heart disease, symptoms of high cholesterol, treatment. | | • | MyDietExercise.com - Diet and Exercise information. Learn about a variety of diet and exercise options and plans. Get free tips on diet, exercise, and fitness. |
|
|
SOURCES: David L. Katz, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor, public health, director, Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., author The Flavor Point Diet; Feb. 27, 2006, Archives of Internal Medicine
|
.gif)
