Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate Helps Improve Coronary Blood Flow

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - There is a good news for chocolate lovers as a Japanese study has found that flavonoid-rich dark chocolate helps improve coronary blood flow.

The researchers used Doppler echocardiography to assess the coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), an indicator of the ability of the coronary arteries to dilate and allow more blood flow in response to medications.

The two-week trial included 39 healthy adults, average age 29. They were asked to eat 550 milligrams per day of dark chocolate versus white chocolate with no flavonoids.

Researchers also measured the participants' blood pressure, blood lipids and two markers of oxidative stress. The results found that participants who ate dark chocolate showed significantly improved CFVR after two weeks.

Those who ate white chocolate showed no change. Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate intake had acute effects in improving coronary function in healthy adults, as compared to non-flavonoid white chocolate, the study found.

The results were independent of changes in oxidative stress parameters, blood pressure and lipid profile, researchers wrote the researchers from Chiba University.

Previous research has found that eating a small, 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you. It has flavoniods that keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.

The study was to be presented Sunday at the American Heart Association annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.