In news that will undoubtedly make women around the world extremely jealous, researchers in the United Kingdom have found that eating dark chocolate does a better job of protecting men than women from heart disease, blood clots, and stroke.
The key is flavonoids, which are found in cocoa (yes, including dark chocolate), tea, and apples. Flavonoids apparently work to keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and causing clots—which can cause strokes and heart attacks. However, as we’ve discussed in previous articles on the benefits of chocolate, don’t go overboard. Chocolate is loaded with fat, sugar, and calories, so one small piece per day—ideally 70 percent cocoa or more—is plenty, according to Dr Baukje de Roos, the lead researcher at the University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health.
If you’re interested in looking into this more, start with a chat with your doctor. Then, start reading labels. Dark chocolate is better than white chocolate, but not all dark chocolates are equal. Get the kind with the highest cocoa and flavonoid content. There are also cocoa supplements available.
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