In a recent study published in The FASEB Journal, Dutch researchers investigated the effects of dark chocolate consumption on vascular function and other measures of blood vessel health, including inflammation and leukocyte adhesion, in overweight men. The study included both flavanol-enriched (HFC) and normal flavanol (NFC) forms of dark chocolate for comparison.
After four weeks, it was found that chocolate consumption increased flow-mediated dilation by 1% and produced significant reductions in leukocyte adhesion and cell count. But there were no differences between the flavanol-enriched and normal chocolate groups in terms of vascular effects. However, flavanol enrichment adversely affected flavor and thus produced a negative effect on subjects’ motivation to consume the chocolate.
Thus besides improving vascular function, chocolate also lowers the adherence capacity of leukocytes in circulation.
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