Dakaz Medical Center

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.So that means you can eat chocolate at will? No, of course. If you gavez chocolate every day might as well say that the adverse effects due to sugar and fat, cancel the virtues that have been described. Chocolate is neither a drug nor a magic potion!

It also seems that a moderate and steady is better than occasional consumption. While polyphenols are quickly assimilated, they are also quickly eliminated. Thus, after six hours, they disappeared from circulation.
Conclusion, the antioxidant efficiency was better in regular users, but moderate.

“2 teaspoons of dark chocolate daily”

The phenol plant located in chocolate have in several studies the same properties as aspirin. Like her, they would be able to reduce the tendency of blood to clot (to form blood clots). Thus they improve circulation and blood flow, and decrease the risk of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).
The latest study * published in this issue “a few squares of dark chocolate daily have similar effects as aspirin to reduce blood clotting and reduce the risk of blocked arteries that cause many heart attacks. Provided, however, to eat in moderation.
In addition, dark chocolate, which contains 70% cocoa and is therefore richer in phenols is preferable to other chocolates. Better still, the author of this study indicates that “the medicine might recommend two teaspoons daily of dark chocolate in its purest form, made of dried extracts of cocoa beans.

Please note finally that if you have cholesterol, avoid chocolate. While it contains fatty acids, mono-unsaturated, it is also rich in saturated fats, bad for cholesterol.
Finally, chocolate is neither entirely black nor quite white!

Tags: antioxidant efficiency, cardiovascular disease, influence of chocolate, LDL cholesterol, polyphenols chemical