Articles
Chocolate with Olive Oil for Vascular Health
The daily consumption of a small dark chocolate enriched with olive oil can improve the health of the vascular endothelium. This is the conclusion of a small study published in the European Society of Cardiology Congress, in 2017.
The lead researcher of the study, Dr Rossella Di Stefano (University of Pisa, Italy), suggests that eating dark chocolate with a 70% cocoa concentration can become a healthy habit. The beneficial effect of dark chocolate is mainly due to the high concentrations of polyphenols. It is estimated that a small piece of dark chocolate contains polyphenols, equivalent to 2 glasses of wine, or 1 glass of green tea.
The virgin olive oil contains monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for vascular health. It also contains a large amount of polyphenols. The combination of the two, dark chocolate and olive oil, was a challenge for the researchers.
They created a chocolate with these two ingredients, the taste of which is very satisfying. Their aim was to test its effect on vascular health in a one-month protocol.
The study on chocolate with olive oil
14 men and 12 women, living in Tuscany, participated in the study. Their average age was 51 years old and their body mass index reached 29kg/m2. All participants had 3 risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. The participants' common risk factors were obesity, family history of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension and smoking.
The endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) level was the vascular endothelial health index chosen to be measured. EPCs are cells associated with the repair of endothelial damage. The number of EPCs determines the health of the blood vessels and their concentration decreases when risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases coexist. The flow cytometry method measured EPCs as well as their indirect indicators (CD133+/KDR+/CD34+ antigens).
In addition, the researchers using a technique called proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), measured 4 metabolites in urine, associated with the action of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. These were carnitine, 2-hydroxyippurate, L-tyrosine and phenylalanine.
On a daily basis, participants consumed 40 grams of 70% dark chocolate, enriched with 10% olive oil. The result was a significant increase in the level of prenatal endothelial cells. At the same time, two of the four urinary metabolites, carnitine and hydroxyippurate, were reduced by 14% and 22%, respectively.
The results are encouraging. However, to draw more firm conclusions, larger studies in terms of number of people and duration will be needed.
Source: www.rigopoulosdimitrios.gr
The lead researcher of the study, Dr Rossella Di Stefano (University of Pisa, Italy), suggests that eating dark chocolate with a 70% cocoa concentration can become a healthy habit. The beneficial effect of dark chocolate is mainly due to the high concentrations of polyphenols. It is estimated that a small piece of dark chocolate contains polyphenols, equivalent to 2 glasses of wine, or 1 glass of green tea.
The virgin olive oil contains monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for vascular health. It also contains a large amount of polyphenols. The combination of the two, dark chocolate and olive oil, was a challenge for the researchers.
They created a chocolate with these two ingredients, the taste of which is very satisfying. Their aim was to test its effect on vascular health in a one-month protocol.
The study on chocolate with olive oil
14 men and 12 women, living in Tuscany, participated in the study. Their average age was 51 years old and their body mass index reached 29kg/m2. All participants had 3 risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. The participants' common risk factors were obesity, family history of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension and smoking.
The endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) level was the vascular endothelial health index chosen to be measured. EPCs are cells associated with the repair of endothelial damage. The number of EPCs determines the health of the blood vessels and their concentration decreases when risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases coexist. The flow cytometry method measured EPCs as well as their indirect indicators (CD133+/KDR+/CD34+ antigens).
In addition, the researchers using a technique called proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), measured 4 metabolites in urine, associated with the action of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. These were carnitine, 2-hydroxyippurate, L-tyrosine and phenylalanine.
On a daily basis, participants consumed 40 grams of 70% dark chocolate, enriched with 10% olive oil. The result was a significant increase in the level of prenatal endothelial cells. At the same time, two of the four urinary metabolites, carnitine and hydroxyippurate, were reduced by 14% and 22%, respectively.
The results are encouraging. However, to draw more firm conclusions, larger studies in terms of number of people and duration will be needed.
Source: www.rigopoulosdimitrios.gr
