Chocolate for a healthy heart.

Chocolate for a healthy heart. 

Not that we even need a reason to eat chocolate, however the antioxidant benefits of cocoa or cocoa-containing products has been reported extensively, but how is this clinically relevant? Well, for those struggling with weight, metabolic or inflammatory conditions, cocoa and cocoa-based products may hold the key to the prevention of a range of signs and symptomologies. 

Cocoa has been indicated in a range of papers to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular-related risk factors such as blood pressure, low-density lipid oxidation, inflammatory status and the blood lipid profile, all of which are common features of metabolic conditions.

Now, before we start consuming bars of chocolate, much discussion is around which flavonoids exert particular functions and activity. Recently, researchers conducted a trial in an effort to identify the lipid-altering properties of cocoa. The result? theobromine. 

Theobromine, a cocoa flavonoid, was found to have significant influences on HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations, demonstrating the ability to increase the former and reduce the latter. Studies have shown that increasing HDL cholesterol by just 1% is linked to a 1-3% reduction of cardiovascular risk. This makes theobromine a promising dietary ingredient in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, the dosage of theobromine needs to be taken into account for its efficacy. 850mg of theobromine daily was found to have largely significant lipid-altering effects; this equates to 100g of dark chocolate or 200g of milk chocolate. 

For the chocoholics out there this may sound ideal, but as we know with this large consumption of chocolate comes the extra calories and saturated fats – not ideal for those with metabolic issues. For those who utilise food-as-medicine it is interesting to note that 6g of cocoa equates to approximately 150mg of theobromine.

This research brings us one step closer to understanding the health benefits of cocoa, and reveals theobromine as a potentially interesting supplement and dietary intervention for those with cholesterol-related health concerns.

Want to know more? Chat with one of our Naturopaths today! Call 59984554 to arrange an appointment.