"Obviously, large scale trials are needed to confirm these protective actions of dark chocolate or other flavanol-containing foods," the authors said, acknowledging the limitations of the sample size of only 15 participants.

However, many other epidemiological researchers have found that flavanols, present in high concentrations in dark chocolate but not in white chocolate, exert significant vascular protection because of their antioxidant properties.

Other studies have shown that dark chocolate improves the ability of arteries to dilate, and decreases platelet aggregation.

Interest in the protective activity of chocolate began with the Kuna Indians of the San Blas Archipelago near Panama, who do not have the age-related rise in blood pressure typical of many countries, and who rarely suffer from hypertension.

But for those Kuna who migrated to Panama City this changed. Examination of their diet on the islands uncovered the fact that they traditionally drank large volumes of a flavanol-rich cocoa.

By: Prensa-Latina