The study revealed that dark chocolate enriched with extra
virgin olive oil may increase good cholesterol levels and help in preserving
the 'repairing cells' which play a critical role in maintaining blood vessels.
Chocolate lovers, now have a reason to rejoice. According to
a latest study, dark chocolate may be good for your heart health. The study
revealed that dark chocolate enriched with extra virgin olive oil may increase
good cholesterol levels and help in preserving the 'repairing cells' which play
a critical role in maintaining blood vessels.
Assessing the impact of a healthy diet in reducing risk of
cardiovascular diseases, Rossella Di Stefano, a cardiologist at the University
of Pisa in Italy, said "Fruits and vegetables exert their protective
effects through plant polyphenols, which are found in cocoa, olive oil, and
apples," The researchers noted that a lot of research has already been
done on the Italian Panaia red apple and its high levels of polyphenols and
antioxidants. For the study, the team examined whether consumption of dark
chocolate enriched with extra virgin olive oil or Panaia red apple was linked
to atherosclerosis - fat build-up in the artery walls - in healthy people who
had cardiovascular risk factors.
26 volunteers (14 men, 12 women) with at least three
cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidaemia, smoking, hypertension or family
history of heart disease) were given 40 grams of dark chocolate daily for 28
days, for the study. There were two types of chocolates used in the course of
study. For 14 consecutive days it contained 10 per cent extra virgin olive oil
and for 14 consecutive days it contained 2.5 per cent Panaia red apple.
Both these types of chocolates were given in random order.
Progression of atherosclerosis was assessed by metabolic changes, lipid
profile, blood pressure and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC),
which are critical for vascular repair and maintenance of the cells inside
blood vessels. Researchers then collected urine and blood samples at baseline
and after the intervention. The Urine samples were then analysed by proton
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for endogenous metabolites.
After the course of 28 days, the findings revealed that the
chocolate enriched with olive oil was associated with significantly increased
EPC levels compared to both baseline and after consumption of apple-enriched
chocolate.Olive oil-enriched chocolate was also associated with significantly
increased high-density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol and
decreased blood pressure compared to baseline. "Our study suggests that
extra virgin olive oil might be a good food additive to help preserve our
'repairing cells', the EPC," the researchers noted. Di Stefano said,
"We found that small daily portions of dark chocolate with added natural
polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil was associated with an improved
cardiovascular risk profile,"
