12.01.05
According to a new study conducted at Yale University’s Prevention Research Center, and funded by The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA, eating dark chocolate can result in short-term improvements in arterial function and blood pressure. The Yale study used ultrasound technology and sophisticated measurements to assess the effects of eating high-cacao content dark chocolate—Hershey’s Extra Dark—on the arterial function of 45 moderately overweight adults. The study also measured subjects’ blood pressure before and two hours after eating two servings (74 grams) of dark chocolate. The study demonstrated improvements in blood pressure, as well as the ability of blood vessels to dilate and increase flow, a key indicator of cardiovascular health, after eating dark chocolate. No such effects were seen with a low-flavanol placebo. This is the first phase of an ongoing trial. Future phases will explore the relationship between the consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa, and the potential for longer-term health benefits.