Dark chocolate, rich in antioxidant polyphenols, may contribute to heart health and boost immunity. Eating one small square of dark chocolate (about 6 grams) daily has been found to offer optimum health benefits. Now research reports that eating small amounts of chocolate can lower cholesterol, but only in people at risk for heart disease.
The meta-analysis, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reviewed studies of chocolate’s effects on cholesterol levels. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in Beijing analyzed eight published studies including 215 participants.
The researchers found that chocolate intake significantly lowered LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol by 5.87 mg/dL and total cholesterol by 5.82 mg/dL. However, chocolate did not have an effect on cholesterol in three high quality studies. Furthermore, only participants at risk for heart disease and who consumed small amounts of chocolate (less than 260 mg polyphenols) had cholesterol-lowering effects. Healthy participants did not have cholesterol-lowering benefits.
“Short-term cocoa consumption significantly reduced blood cholesterol, but the changes were dependent on the dose of cocoa consumption and the healthy status of participants,” the study authors write. “There was no dose response and no effect in healthy participants. Future high-quality studies are needed to determine the efficiency of moderate cocoa consumption on lipid profile in long-term intervention and in subjects with other cardiometabolic risk factors.”
Promote Healthy Cholesterol Levels with Resterol
High blood cholesterol can build-up cholesterol-filled plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries and cause heart disease, heart attack and strokes. An effective way to support heart health is to take natural nutrients, along with following a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Progressive Health’s Resterol is a cholesterol-supporting supplement that features researched nutrients like garlic, turmeric, inositol, gum guggul, policasanol, pantethine (vitamin B5) and vitamin E.
Your Thoughts
Are you taking supplements to help manage your cholesterol levels? Please share with us below.
