Study shows that flavonol-rich chocolate may help repair damage to smokers' blood vessels, at least temporarily. The benefit may stem from antioxidants called flavonoids that are found in chocolate as well as fruits and vegetables.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, was done by a research group including Christian Heiss, MD, PhD, of Heinrich-Heine University in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The study included eleven individuals about 31 years old, who were smokers, with smoking being their only known risk factor for heart disease. Smoking raises the risk of many health problems, including heart disease, which is a leading cause of death.

Smokers were the only subjects studied because their blood vessels expand and contract abnormally during changes in blood flow. Researchers were interested in monitoring these abnormalities, termed endothelial dysfunction, in smokers. Endothelial dysfunction, while not exclusive to smokers, is much more common among them, making them better subjects to study this particular phenomenon.

Endothelial dysfunction can lead to atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries), which can eventually cause a heart attack or stroke.

Participants were told to fast overnight and not smoke for 12 hours before the experiment. Each person drank a flavonol-rich cocoa drink and a flavonol-poor cocoa drink. The two drinks looked and tasted the same.

Blood vessel function was seen to be notably better after drinking the flavonol-rich drink. That could be attributed to rises in levels of a chemical called nitric oxide in the blood, according to the researchers. When participants were given a drug to block nitric oxide, no further improvements were seen. The long-term effects of chocolate on endothelial dysfunction are not known yet.

The study was funded by an unrestricted grant from candy maker Mars Inc., which also supplied the cocoa drinks.

The flavonol-rich cocoa drink used in the study was specially processed to retain much higher flavonol levels than those typically found in commercially-available cocoa drinks, so "it is unlikely that drinking more hot chocolate would produce a similar effect," states the American College of Cardiology's news release.

Flavonols belong to a group of antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoid sources include red wine, tea, and fresh produce including sweet cherries, apples, apricots, purple grapes, blackberries, raspberries, and broad beans.

In a news release, the American College of Cardiology warns that smokers shouldn't count on chocolate for heart health. They should focus on quitting smoking.

Additionally, the researchers warn that this study should not be interpreted as a green light for a chocolate binge. Overdoing it may lead to weight gain, which could further burden your heart rather than helping it.

Reference: Heiss, C. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Oct. 4, 2005; vol 46: pp 1276-1283

Syble B. James
President, Alpha Health Source
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