Dark chocolate is good for you!

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that eating a few square of dark chocolate every day can ward off hardening of the arteries in smokers.
Dark chocolate - containing 70 per cent or more cocao butter - is full of antioxidants and so might be expected to have health benefits. Doctors at the University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland, now report new research that shows how dark, but not white, chocolate had a positive effect on the arteries of people who smoke.

It's known that smoking can contribute to hardening of the arteries. In this study, a group of 20 male smokers ate 40 grams of dark or white chocolate and the smoothness of blood flow in their arteries was then checked by ultrasound. Two hours after consuming dark chocolate, blood flow was improved in a way consistent with alleviating hardening of the arteries. And platelet activity - the tendency of blood to clot - was also reduced. At the same time, the antioxidant level of blood went up. White chocolate did not have this effect. Dark chocolate may be higher in calories than other antioxidant containing foods, so consumption should be limited. But it has more antioxidants per gram than red wine. green tea and berry fruits.

Source
Heart January 2006 Volume 92 pages 119-120

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