This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive

Feb. 15, 2002 -- While steaming, hot mugs of cocoa may not replace sports drinks on the sidelines any time soon, new research may comfort those who like to indulge their chocolate cravings. A diet rich in cocoa and other types of dark chocolate may help keep your blood pressure down and your heart healthy.

Two studies presented today at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston suggest that a substance found in cocoa can stimulate the body's processing of nitric oxide -- a compound critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure -- and promote overall heart health.

"Nitric oxide plays such an important role in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure and, in turn, cardiovascular health," said study author Norman Hollenberg, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in a release. It is produced in the lining of blood vessels and promotes heart health by opening up the arteries and maintaining good blood flow.

Researchers say the flavanols found in cocoa seem to play a role in helping the body use nitric oxide. Flavanols are one class of a group of naturally occurring substances called flavonoids, which are found in foods such as cocoa, dark chocolate, purple grape juice, and tea. Previous studies have also indicated that eating foods high in flavonoids can have positive effects on the heart.

Hollenberg's study on cocoa was prompted by an observation that the indigenous people of the island of Kuna in Central America rarely develop high blood pressure and drink an average of 5 cups of cocoa a day and include it in many of their recipes. But once they leave their native island and move to the mainland, their risk of high blood pressure increases, and it's not related to sodium intake or obesity.

In the study, researchers fed Boston volunteers cocoa that either had a high or low amount of flavanols. Those who drank the high-flavanol version showed more nitric oxide activity.

"If our research results continue to support a link between consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa and nitric oxide synthesis, there could be significant implications for public health," said Hollenberg, in a release.

Another presentation at the conference showed that flavanol-rich cocoa and chocolate may work much like aspirin to promote healthy blood flow. Researchers at the University of California at Davis compared the effects of low-dose aspirin and a flavanol-rich cocoa beverage. They found both had similar effects on preventing blood platelets from sticking together, which can harm blood flow.

The study authors say those platelet effects may be related to the nitric oxide benefits found by Hollenberg's study.

Print Friendly Version          Email a Friend

Children and Sweetened Drinks: What's a Parent to Do? Read more in the Diet & Nutrition Health Center Get nutritional information from our expert. Read the top health news of the day. Get more Diet & Nutrition news.