Cocoa Shows Promise as Heart Healthy Food

A new study has shown remarkable health benefits for cocoa in diabetic patients.  Patients with diabetes are prone to cardiovascular complications, so this study set out to find whether cocoa could be used as part of a treatment plan for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.

In the study, diabetic patients were given a high-flavonol cocoa to drink for one month and results showed that in this short time, blood vessel function went from severely impaired to normal.  This improvement was as large as has been observed with exercise and many common diabetic medications.

Flavanols, being a class of flavanoids, are natural plant compounds, which are also found in tea, red wine and certain fruits and vegetables.  It is believed that flavonols are directly responsible for the health benefits of cocoa.

A Note of Caution!
Whilst this study is excellent news, it is important to realise the vast difference between raw, unsweetened cocoa powder, which is high in antioxidant flavonols, and the common commercial cocoa drinks and chocolate products that are loaded with sugar and low in antioxidant content.  To get the heart healthy benefits of cocoa you have to use the bitter, unsweetened cocoa powder (without the added sugar!).  Dr Kelm cautions in the article that the message to take away from this study is not that people with diabetes should guzzle cocoa (or over-indulge in chocolate), but rather, that dietary flavanoids hold promise as a way to prevent heart disease.

Sources: Eurekalert May 26, 2008
From the Nutri Supplement, Issue No. 107