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I had a dream. I dreamt that the dark chocolate I’ve always craved and eaten was really GOOD for me.

Me and millions of other people on this planet!

Well, here it is folks: The first study to examine “the effects of whole-chocolate consumption on ex vivo platelet function has shown that dark chocolate acutely reduces collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation and reduces plasma nitric oxide (NO) production.”  (Love that word "acutely".)

Say that again in plain English.

Are you ready for this?

RESEARCHERS IN SCOTLAND THINK DARK CHOCOLATE CAN REDUCE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND THROMBOEMBOLIC DISEASE.

Break that down one more step, please?

Researchers at the University of Dundee in Scotland decided to investigate what’s called “the French paradox”.  The French paradox is a cardioprotective mechanism that’s counter-intuitive:  populations high in dietary fats and oils (I guess that’s the French) have a low rate of ischemic cardiovascular disease.
 
What they’re talking about here is “cerebrovascular accident” or acute ischemic strokes – those caused by thrombosis or embolism (blood clots) which account for 80% of all strokes.  And of course heart attacks.

The basis for this protective mechanism is flavonoids, which reduce platelet activation, which in turn reduces atherogenesis (clogged arteries) and cardiovascular disease. 

Flavonoids are also found in red wine, fruit, and vegetables. 

That’s the good news!

WHAT’S THE BETTER NEWS?

Dark chocolate has a higher flavonoid concentration than white or milk chocolate.

Imagine going to your doctor and receiving a prescription for a lb. of Lady Godiva, PRN.  Well, check with your personal physician folks, but it sounds promising. 

Of course that "French effect" could be the fact that the French all get 6 weeks off a year ... that would be a nice prescription too. 

Reference:  Kennedy, Innes, Mclaren, Belch. Dark chocolate inhibits platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Program and abstracts of the XIX Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis; Birmingham, UK, July 12-18, 2003.

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Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching for all your wellness, success and happiness needs. Distance learning, ebooks, teleclasses, training and certification of EQ coaches.  http://www.eqcoach.net.  sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE wellness ezine.