Dark Chocolate Protects Cardiovascular System

The results of a study suggest that consumption of dark chocolate may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system in healthy subjects.

"Epidemiological studies suggest that high flavonoid intake confers a benefit on cardiovascular outcome," Dr. Charalambos Vlachopoulos, of Athens Medical School in Greece, and colleagues write. "Endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and wave reflection are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and are predictors of cardiovascular risk."

In a randomized, sham-procedure-controlled, crossover study, the researchers examined the effects of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on the endothelial function, aortic stiffness, wave reflections, and oxidant status of 17 young, healthy volunteers over a 3-h period. The subjects consumed 100 g of a commercially available, procyanidin-rich dark chocolate.

Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, aortic augmentation index, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were measured, along with plasma levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity to evaluate plasma oxidant status.
A significant increase was observed in the flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery at 60 min (absolute increase 1.43%, p < 0.5), the authors report.

Chocolate consumption led to a significant decrease in the aortic augmentation index throughout the study (maximum absolute decrease 7.8%, p < 0.001). This indicated a decrease in wave reflections.

No significant change in pulse wave velocity was observed.

The team also found no significant changes in plasma total antioxidant capacity or malondialdehyde values during chocolate consumption or control session, indicating no alteration in the oxidant status.

"The predominant mechanism appears to be dilation of small and medium-sized peripheral arteries and arterioles," Dr. Vlachopoulos and colleagues suggest.

"The dilatory effect of chocolate under resting conditions (dilation of brachial artery, decrease in wave reflections) can be attributed to improved nitric oxide bioavailability, prostacyclin increase, direct effect on chocolate in smooth muscle cells, or activation of central mechanisms."
Am J Hypertens 2005;18:785-791.

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FACT
SEARCH YIELDS INCIDENCE/PREVALENCE DATA ON YOUTH DIABETES:
SEARCH has been a 5-year multi-center study of diabetes in youth funded by the CDC and NIDDK. The numbers will surprise some folks. Incidence (#262) is 20.2 of type 1 and 1.3 of type 2 per 100,000 population per year in youth aged 0-19 years, plus some untypeable and some previously unrealized numbers of hybrid disease to reach a total of 26.3 – and they have ethnicity breakdowns. Prevalence (#1012) is 1.6 of type 1 and 0.4 of type 2 per 1,000 population aged 0-19 years, again with some untypeable and hybrid to reach 1.82. Note (#1906) that about one-third of those diagnosed as type 2 by clinicians were found to have type 1 by SEARCH in antibody and other testing not typically done in clinical practice. This is not surprising when one notices (#1875) that about one-third of those found to have type I were also overweight or obese, which might lead the clinician to suspect type 2. ADA 65th Scientific Sessions Poster #262,1012,1906 & 1875.