January 2001
From Mayo Clinic
A little chocolate for a healthy heartROCHESTER, MINN. -- Chocolate is in the news as a heart-healthy food. According to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, two recent studies have found that some chocolate products contain high levels of antioxidant flavonoids. These plant-based compounds limit the effects of lipoprotein (LDLs) components in the harmful kind of cholesterol. Good news for chocolate lovers -- these flavonoids may help protect arteries and prevent heart disease. And if you like dark chocolate, the news is even better. The darker the chocolate, the higher it�s likely to be in flavonoids. However, the studies didn�t address how much chocolate you need to eat to achieve heart benefits. Nor did they study any long-term heart benefits or risks. So until more research is done, chocolate should be kept to an occasional treat because it�s still high in calories, fat, sugar and low in fiber. Shelly Plutowski
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu
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