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DoctorGetWell's Monthly Column
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Dr. Alex Tatevian has maintained a monthly acupuncture column in
the health section of the Federal Hill Gazette since 1999.
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Federall Hill Gazette; July 2004
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Chocolate Lovers, Rejoice! A portion of dark chocolate a day keeps heart attacks and strokes away.
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Do you remember numerous jokes about "chocolate is a vegetable"? Well, now science is dead serious about it. Dark chocolate derived from the plant (Theobroma cacao) is a rich source of flavonoids. Flavanoids improve the function of blood vessels and prevent the build up of cholesterol (the "bad cholesterol").
If you eat a small portion of dark chocolate each day you reduce your risk of getting a heart attack or stroke, say US scientists in a new study published in rather conservative Journal of the American College of Nutrition (Vol. 23, No. 3, 197-204 (2004)).
The original study conducted by Dr. Mary B. Engler from University of California in collaboration with the researchers from other respected institutions, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design and in compliance with strict research standard.
The study demonstrated the benefits of daily intake of high-flavonoid dark chocolate in moderation: it improved the function of blood vessels, and there was no negative effect on blood pressure or body weight.
The question is: what is in moderation? In the study the subjects were given 46 g, (1.6 oz) of chocolate daily.
In my opinion, chocolate should be regarded as an herb and approached as such.
Among other things, it is also a potent antidepressant and a tonic. Don’t try to substitute dark chocolate with milk chocolate as it defeats the purpose; the best is the one that says "72% Cocoa".
There is no such thing as "the more the better", and chocolate is definitely not an exception. One to two ounces per day may be considered quite enough.
We welcome all questions that you may have.
You can ask your questions on-line at DoctorGetWell.org, e-mail them to getwell@doctor.com , or send them to:
Alex Tatevian, DA
Acu Well Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine
141 Airport Road, Warwick, Rhode Island (RI) 02889
Phone (401) 738-9355
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This page last updated: 8-Sep-2010
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