Chocolate appears to promote healthy blood vessels Small daily doses of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate eaten over a two-week period significantly improved blood vessel function, report US researchers this week, without increasing blood cholesterol levels.
They also identified high absorption of a particular flavonoid thought to be beneficial for blood vessel function, epicatechin.
Previous clinical studies have shown the beneficial effects of chocolate on the function of blood vessel endothelium
after either a single dose or several doses of chocolate over a few days.
The small study, presented as an abstract at the American Heart Association's 2002 scientific sessions in New Orleans, appears to confirm the benefits of chocolate, eaten in moderation.
Chocolate Study