Research Suggests Chocolate Is Healthy
A growing body of research suggests that certain compounds in chocolate can have a host of health benefits.
“We have heard how chocolate may be associated with a cardioprotective effect, and that it may lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol,” said Dr. Randall Zusman, director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s division of hypertension.
“From my perspective, it is interesting that a natural product, especially something like chocolate, may have a beneficial effect.”
The positive effects shown thus far are predominantly associated with substances called flavonoids, which are abundant in raw, unprocessed chocolate.
These substances are thought to be potent antioxidants — chemicals in food that have shown promise in halting the destructive action of free radicals in the body, which may lead to cancer.
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