Cocoa Flavonols Boost Vascular Function

Posted on 2010-06-03 06:00:00 in Cardio-Vascular | Functional Foods |
Cocoa Flavonols Boost Vascular Function

A late-breaking presentation at the European Society of Cardiology’s Heart Failure Congress 2010 by Swiss researchers reports that patients with congestive heart failure may benefit from a diet including a daily dose of chocolate. Within just two hours of consuming 40 grams of chocolate, flow-mediated vasodilatation rose significantly while platelet adhesion markedly decreased.  Consumption of 80 grams over the course of four weeks yielded a beneficial gain in flow-mediated vasodilatation of nearly 2%, to stand at 6.86%.   Andreas Flammer, from University Hospital (Zurich, Switzerland), and colleagues observe that the preferred form of chocolate is one containing a high content of flavonols, the antioxidant compound thought to give the food its heart-healthy benefits.

Continue reading…

A Flammer.  “Cacao on endothelial function in CHF.”  Presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s Heart Failure Congress 2010, 30 May 2010.

Health Headlines MORE »

Senior Runners Continue to Excel
The best male marathon runners over age 65, and the best female marathon runners over age 45, continue to consistently improve their performance.
Stem Cell Therapy Restores Vision
UCLA-led team safely uses human embryonic stem cells to treat macular degeneration.
Beware the Office Air
First-of-its-kind study reports that indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances.
One in Five US Adults Afflicted with Mental Illness
Twenty percent of Americans ages 18+ experienced a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in 2010.
Vitamin D Helps to Combat Vision Loss
In a lab animal model, vitamin D reduced the effects of aging in the eyes and improved the vision of older animals.
Cord Stem Cells Converted into Other Cell Types
For the first time ever, stem cells from umbilical cords have been converted into other types of cells, paving the way for new treatment options for spinal cord
Vitamin E Exerts Role in Brain Health
People affected by Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have low blood levels of vitamin E, as compared to people with normal cognitive function.
VR Exercise Boosts Cognitive Health
Virtual reality (VR)-enhanced exercise, that combine physical exercise with computer-simulated environments and interactive videogame features, yield a greater
Grapes May Help to Prevent Blindness
Providing potent protection for eyes, grapes may help to slow or help prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Dietary Fiber Reduces Disease Risks
Review paper confirms the multiple health benefits of consuming fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods.
Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum
Anti-Aging textbook Anti-Aging Forum MLDP Anti-aging jobs Join A4M
ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY
Lifelong Fitness Linked to Longevity
People who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who are out-of-shape. Researchers from the University of Otago ( New Zealand) studied 4,384 middle-aged and older adults whose fitness levels were assessed via exercise treadmill tests, then whom were followed for nine years. When the team separated the participants into five groups based on fitness levels, they found that one-quarter of the least-fit men and women had died during the study period, as compared to 13% of those who were slightly more in-shape.
» MORE