"The results of these pilot human trials on chocolate's potential health benefits correspond with earlier in vitro research," said Carl Keen, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Nutrition, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis. "These findings are very promising and suggest that, with balance and moderation, chocolate can contribute to a healthy diet."
Researchers from the U.S. and Argentina presented results of several studies measuring the effects of chocolate consumption on markers for human heart health. Dr. Keen presented findings from a preliminary clinical study that suggested that platelet activation and aggregation (factors that may play roles in the progression of heart disease) decreased over a six-hour period after consumption of a cocoa beverage. Cesar Fraga, Ph.D., Professor of Physical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, presented clinical evidence from a series of studies that investigated the bioavailability and potential antioxidant effects of naturally occurring compounds in chocolate known as procyanidins. Researchers fed participants "M&M's"® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Baking Bits. The studies found that chocolate consumption resulted in absorption of at least some of the procyanidins as well as an increase in blood antioxidant capacity within two hours after chocolate consumption. Antioxidants are important because they are believed to help protect tissue and cells in the body from the potentially harmful effects of free radicals, which can disrupt biological molecules and are suspected of contributing to certain age-related chronic diseases. Furthermore, the researchers observed a decrease in the damage by free radicals on blood lipids, a situation that can be associated with the prevention of heart disease. Earlier in vitro studies have also suggested that polyphenols found in chocolate may decrease LDL oxidation and modulate platelet activity, and earlier epidemiological studies have associated consumption of chocolate with improved cardiovascular health.
"We are very encouraged by the findings presented during this symposium," said Harold Schmitz, Ph.D., Group Research Manager, Mars, Incorporated. "The clinical study results, together with those of earlier in vitro research findings, are very promising, and suggest that additional research is needed to further assess the potential cardiovascular health benefits of chocolate."
The symposium, titled "Chocolate: Modern Science Investigates an Ancient Medicine," also featured presentations about the history of chocolate and its medicinal uses and in vitro studies on the interesting antioxidant compounds in chocolate.
Mars, Incorporated has been making candy since 1911. The company has recently launched Cocoapro, which is the consumer's guarantee that chocolate products from Mars, Incorporated are made from cocoa beans that are specially handled to preserve their natural goodness. Consumers can obtain more information by visiting the Cocoapro Web site at www.cocoapro.com . As one of the world's leading producers of chocolate, Mars, Incorporated has a strong commitment to chocolate and health research and produces a wide variety of quality snackfoods, including "M&M's", the number one chocolate brand in the world. The Cocoapro guarantee, unique in the industry, is an expression of that commitment.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific and technological excellence across all disciplines and to the public's understanding of science and technology. Founded in 1848, AAAS has more than 138,000 members and 275 affiliated societies. Many of today's most prestigious and influential scientific societies have their historical origins in AAAS. For example, groups such as the American Chemical Society (1876), the American Anthropological Association (1902), and the Botanical Society of America (1906) all grew out of informal gatherings at AAAS annual meetings or from established AAAS Sections. AAAS publishes the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science, as well as a number of electronic features on the World Wide Web. The AAAS annual meeting attracts thousands of scientists from around the world.