Grab a chocolate bar and keep the heart pumping

Maybe this study will give you more of a reason not to think twice before buying your favorite chocolate bar!

A recent study conducted in Spain shows that the cocoa sometimes found in chocolate may lower the levels of “inflammatory markers” that are related to heart disease.

Spanish researchers put 42 men and women on a diet that included 40 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder (about 1.4 ounces) mixed with skim milk daily, or just plain skim milk. During a one month period, the people who had the cocoa mix versus plain skim milk had more improved results – meaning lower levels of inflammatory markers which indicate higher risk for heart disease.

You see, these inflammatory markers, or adhesion molecules, are proteins that actually cause white blood cells to stick to artery walls which can possibly form atheroscelerotic placques, according to a professor of food science and nutrition Shelley McGuire. Also, the researches can say with certainty that the cocoa increased the HDL (good) cholesterol levels and reduced the LDL (bad) cholesterol.

So, it seems chocolate may be seen as a “hearty” choice based on these study results. Combining cocoa or chocolate in a healthy eating plan may be the ticket for improving heart health while satisfying your sweet tooth! But just remember: everything in moderation…