Is Dark Chocolate Good For Cholesterol?

Enjoy dark chocolate while receiving the benefits of heart-healthy antioxidants. Chocolate is made from cocoa beans that grow in the seed pods of the cacao tree. Dark chocolate is actually a plant-based food rich in antioxidants called flavonoids. Researchers are studying how chocolate flavonoids effect cholesterol. Always consult a medical professional when you have concerns about your cholesterol and heart health.

Cholesterol

Everyone needs some cholesterol. However, there are two types of cholesterol. The HDL is high-density lipid cholesterol that is often called good cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the low-density lipid cholesterol, considered bad cholesterol. Too much LDL can accumulate in your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. The HDL cholesterol helps keep the bad cholesterol from plugging your arteries. A higher level of HDL protects against heart disease, while a lower LDL level contributes to a better heart profile.

Heart Protection

The American Heart Association announced in August 2010 that moderate amounts of chocolate reduced the risk of heart failure among middle-aged women when compared with those who ate no chocolate. This was based on a nine-year study of 31,823 women in Sweden. Women who ate one to two servings of dark chocolate per week had a 32 percent lower risk of heart failure. Researchers attributed the benefits of chocolate to its high flavonoid content.

LDL Protection

Dark chocolate seems to protect against LDL oxidation, thereby lowering cardiovascular risk, according to a study published in the November 2001 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." Oxidation of LDL plays a key role in causing atherosclerosis. Cocoa solids are rich in antioxidant flavonoids that may protect cells from oxidative damage.

HDL Increase

Dark chocolate is advantageous for heart health because it increases the HDL cholesterol in your blood. A November 2004 study published in "Free Radical Biology and Medicine," found that 75 g of dark chocolate daily increased HDL levels. The study included 45 subjects for a three-week period. The dark chocolate group found an increase of 11.4 percent in their HDL cholesterol. Increasing HDL can benefit heart health. Researchers indicated that cocoa's flavonoids have antioxidant characteristics. A typical 1.45 oz. bar of dark chocolate is equal to 41 g.