Chocolate - More than just a holiday treat?

1. NMR News: Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2010
Chocolate: More than just a holiday
treat?
By: Charles Spielholz, Ph.D.
C
hocolate may just be one of the most maintain cardiovascular health and help
sought after foods in the world. Used as prevent heart attack and stroke. Some support
a candy or as a flavor in baked goods, for such a conclusion is provided by a small
ice cream and other treats, chocolate is a Dutch study of 470 elderly men tracked over 15
significant social food that is much craved in years. The results of that study indicated that
many societies. Some people even appear to men whose diets included cocoa were less
become addicted to it (1,2) which may have likely to die from cardiovascular disease and
some negative effects (1,2). The interesting had slightly lower blood pressure than men
news is that chocolate may also have some whose diets did not contain significant levels of
health benefits due to some of its components
which include antioxidants, flavonoids,
polyphenols and some trace minerals. In
addition, chocolate contains methylxanthines
including caffeine, theobromine, and
theophylline.
Cardiovascular benefits are a primary area of
inquiry among those studying chocolate and
health. There is evidence that indicates that
chocolate may lower blood pressure (3-6), may
decrease or inhibit buildup of plaque on artery
walls (7,8), may help maintain healthy levels of
cholesterol, may have inhibitory effects on the
aggregation of platelets (3), and may decrease
serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (9).
Such effects would be expected to help
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2. NMR News: Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2010
cocoa (4). The Kuna Indians of Panama also
have a very low level of cardiovascular disease
which some reports have attributed to the
cocoa in their diets (10-12).
Of course, such observations regarding
cardiovascular function and chocolate require
extensive research in order to be confirmed
(13,14). Such research must include well
planned clinical trials. Clear, bona fide,
These nutrients include small amounts of
physiological or biochemical mechanisms that
calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper,
explain the results of the clinical trials also
phosphorus, and iron. Chocolate also contains
need to be established before any solid
a small amount of plant based protein and
conclusions can be made. One possible
some unsaturated fatty acids. If the chocolate
physiological/biochemical mechanism currently
contains milk, there will be a small amount of
proposed is that the antioxidants in chocolate
the healthy components of milk present.
may prevent the oxidation of molecules which
would otherwise contribute to plaque buildup
Flavonoids in chocolate may have some anti-
(7).
inflammatory properties (18,19). Agents with
anti-inflammatory properties may have some
A few studies, all of which have been
positive effects on heart health (18,19), and
performed in the laboratory, vaguely suggest
may influence immune response, function
that chocolate may lower the risk of cancer
and/or development (20,21). However, the
(15,16). Possibly due to the flavonoids and
effects of chocolate on the immune system are
antioxidants found in chocolate (15,16), such
not ready for the testable stage in a clinical trial
preliminary observations will require a lot more
and will require significant amounts of basic
work before any scientific statement can be
laboratory bench work before any proposals
made. For example, one key question is if the
can be made.
amount of flavonoids found in different
preparations of chocolate are actually high
Since foods containing chocolate usually
enough to have any biological activity against a
include added sugar, there have been concerns
tumor in an individual.
about obesity and diabetes. However, the
sugar content in good quality chocolate tends
Chocolate does contain some nutrients in small
to be low and is not a critical factor in healthy
amounts that are beneficial in the diet (17).
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3. NMR News: Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2010
people who enjoy chocolate as a special treat.
Chocolate products also contain fat. Again, for
those individuals who are healthy and enjoy
chocolate products in moderation, the fat
content is not critical. And since chocolate is a
plant based product, chocolate contributes no This means animals, especially household pets
cholesterol to a food product. including dogs, cats, birds, and others should
never be given chocolate to eat.
Chocolate does contain methylxanthines.
Methylxanthines are based on purine and have Theobromine has shown some promise as an
mild stimulating effects on the body. Three inhibitor of coughing (24); however chocolate
methylxanthines found in chocolate are is not a proposed treatment for cough.
caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. Both
caffeine and theophylline are present in very So what’s the conclusion? Enjoy chocolate!
low concentrations in chocolate. Concern There is some evidence that it is heart healthy
about caffeine levels in chocolate is generally and it may have positive effects on the
unwarranted since the levels of this discomfort of inflammation. When eaten in
stimulatory molecule are much lower than reasonable amounts on special occasions by
coffee, a drink which is known to be safe for healthy individuals, it is not a significant source
healthy individuals (22,23). of calories or caffeine. Just keep in mind that
chocolate is not a treatment for cardiovascular
Concern about the theobromine content is disease. If you believe you have cardiovascular
warranted, but not for humans. Humans are disease, or have a question regarding your
able to safely metabolize theobromine; cardiovascular health, you must seek the
however many animals, including household advice of your health care provider.
pets, are not able to metabolize theobromine.
References
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flavonoid-rich cocoa and chocolate in cardiovascular
health and disease. Nutr Rev. 64:109-118.
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4. NMR News: Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2010
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