According to a study published in the August edition of the Mayo Clinic women’s health source, chocolate contains a type of flavonoids, naturally antioxidant, which would lower blood pressure. It is also believed to have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and blood vessels.
According to this study, eating 6 grams of dark chocolate per day, or about one square, would lower systolic and diastolic pressure by 2 points. This would slightly lower the cholesterol level and preserve the functions of the blood vessels.
The authors advise eating chocolate containing at least 60% cocoa, with no preference for the more expensive brands. Dark chocolate contains the least amount of fat and sugars. Milk chocolate indeed contains a lot of milk and sugars; as for white chocolate, it contains little or no cocoa. Cocoa flavonoids are found in many other foods including soybeans, tea, and parsley.
Certain more surprising effects of chocolate have also been recognized by the scientific community. Thanks to its antioxidants, it would stimulate the brain and protect against cerebral aging. Other virtues: it would have an anticoagulant effect, comparable to that of aspirin.
The recognized virtues of regular and moderate consumption of dark chocolate
– Euphoric action, anti-depression and anti-fatigue
– Brain stimulation and protection against cellular aging
– Decreased risk of heart disease
– Anticoagulant action, like aspirin