The health benefits of chocolate may include:- Reduction of blood pressure by eating 6 grams of dark chocolate per day. Probably due to the flavonol epicatechin
- Reduction of platelet and endothelial cell activation
- Reduction of inflammatory mediators
- It can also inhibit oral caries
- It can cross the blood brain barrier and increase cerebral blood flow in humans
From Writer's Almanac:
Ode to Chocolate by Barbara Crooker (excerpt)
I hate milk chocolate, don't want clouds
of cream diluting the dark night sky,
don't want pralines or raisins, rubble
in this smooth plateau. I like my coffee
black, my beer from Germany, wine
from Burgundy, the darker, the better.
References:
The Essence of Chocolate. Dr Shock MD PhD, 2010.
Chocolate could lower blood pressure but the required dose may be too much - BMJ http://goo.gl/uoBN
Photo Essay: Making Chocolate in Belize http://goo.gl/2DPi
Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.
Updated: 10/10/2010
