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Dark chocolate will improve the condition of atherosclerosis patients
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Experts continue to argue about whether dark chocolate is good for humans or not. Some experts note that chocolate should be classified as a harmful product, as it can provoke obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and caries.
But some experts note that chocolate, if not abused, is an extremely useful product that stimulates brain activity, especially in old age.
Recently, a group of researchers from the United States discovered another useful feature of dark chocolate - it makes it easier for older people to move. Often in old age, people experience difficulty in moving due to poor circulation in the legs. As experiments by specialists have shown, dark chocolate can significantly ease the condition of older people. During the experiment, patients with peripheral artery disease were able to walk much longer after chocolate. The effect appeared after several hours, while milk chocolate did not show any results.
Dark chocolate contains a large number of nutrients, in particular polyphenols (powerful natural antioxidants). In case of atherosclerosis, a balanced diet is of great importance for improving the condition of blood vessels, and food enriched with polyphenols improves blood circulation.
Vascular disease leads to a deterioration in general condition, pain, leg cramps, and also increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. The researchers tested the effect of dark chocolate on 14 volunteers over 60 years old who were supposed to exercise on a treadmill. The experiment was conducted in two stages: in the first, the volunteers received dark chocolate before exercise, in the second - milk chocolate.
As a result, after dark chocolate, the volunteers managed to increase their exercise time by 17 seconds and walk almost a meter more. In addition, experts determined that the level of gas in the blood increases after dark chocolate, which helps to increase blood circulation. However, we should not forget about the high calorie content of chocolate, which can lead to the appearance of extra pounds, which is also undesirable in old age.
In addition, another research group has shown that chocolate can reduce the risk of stroke. As it turned out, beneficial bacteria present in the intestines (lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria) produce anti-inflammatory compounds when breaking down chocolate, which reduce inflammation in the blood vessels and heart.
During the study, the polyphenols and fiber contained in cocoa begin to be actively processed by bacteria in the large intestine. As experts note, just two teaspoons of cocoa a day will help normalize the cardiovascular system. However, specialists warn that only natural cocoa powder is suitable for achieving a preventive effect; a chocolate bar that contains sugar, milk and other additives in addition to cocoa can cause excess weight.
A study involving nearly 20,000 people is planned for the near future to examine the health benefits of cocoa powder tablets.
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