What Is the Health Benefit of Eating Bitter Chocolate Related to the Cardiovascular System?

One of the most exciting health news revelations in recent years is the discovery that chocolate, more specifically dark or bitter chocolate, is good for you! Chocolate lovers the world over welcomed the news that they could enjoy their chocolate and know they were helping their heart and arteries stay healthy.

Antioxidant Properties

According to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, the flavonoids found in dark chocolate are plant-based compounds that protect the heart in a number of ways. Acting as antioxidants in the body, these flavonoids protect the heart muscle from damage by the free radicals occurring in normal body functions such as digestion and respiration or exposure to environmental toxins. Free radicals cause irreparable tissue damage and can lead to various cancers.

Platelet Reduction

Flavonoids aid in reducing the blood clot forming production of platelets. When platelets clump together, blockages can occur and result in stroke or heart attack. Although platelets are needed for blood to clot when cuts and scrapes occur, a high platelet count results in thick blood and high risk for a life-threatening cardiovascular event.

Relaxation

When we consume chocolate, savoring the rich taste over our palates, we relax and alleviate stress on the heart. Researchers at the University of Cologne, Germany, have reported that blood pressure drops when bitter chocolate is consumed. Study subjects' blood pressure dropped an average of five points systolic in just a short two-week period through consuming a 100-gram candy bar. The subjects also showed a significant rise in the antioxidant content of their blood just one hour after eating chocolate.

Lower Fat Content

Bitter chocolate has a much lower fat content than white chocolate (the highest) or milk chocolate. Less fat means it will not contribute to the higher blood cholesterol levels as other chocolates. This is not, however, reason to binge on dark chocolate. Everything in moderation is best for overall heart health.

Lower Glycemic Level

Dark chocolate also carries a lower glycemic level than other chocolates. Increased blood insulin levels not only stress the heart, but all other body organs as well. Dark chocolate is best for diabetics who wish to eat chocolate, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Recommendation

The above positive benefits of dark, or bitter, chocolate consumption also carries a caveat of responsible consumption. The current thinking is a 1 ounce square no more than once a day is enough to derive the health benefits of chocolate. Many chocolate manufacturers already score their candy bars into 1-ounce square pieces, so it is fairly easy to keep a bar in a drawer and break off a little piece of heaven every day.