What is the common point between a glass of wine, a plate of broccoli, a cup of tea, a bunch of onions and a chocolate bar? Because these foods contain compounds called polyphenols chemical plants.
And if these molecules we are interested in, because many studies have shown they protect against cardiovascular disease and even some cancers. They are also found in the famous Mediterranean diet whose benefits are more evident.
Milk chocolate is not as good as a black
As the cocoa content in chocolate, it is all the more interesting because it contains a large number of polyphenols. A cup of chocolate is such richer in polyphenols than a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Moreover, they pass quickly into the bloodstream and are well assimilated.
Note however, that things are different since chocolate also contains milk. Experience has in fact compared the levels of polyphenols in the blood of two groups of people. The first who ate dark chocolate, the second of milk chocolate. Result, they showed the quantities of polyphenols lower, suggesting to researchers of the study until the chocolate is combined with milk, it loses its properties.
The polyphenol content in cocoa beans called flavonoid has anti-oxidant, that is to say, it reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Result, the LDL cholesterol decrease, therefore the risk of cardiovascular disease as well. (more…)
