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2003/08/27
Researchers in Scotland and Italy say dark
chocolate has much better anti-oxidant properties.
This means that it can protect the heart and arteries from
oxidative damage, similar to the rust that develops on metal
over time.
Writing in the journal Nature, they said adding milk to chocolate
may cancel out these health benefits.
Health benefits
Previous studies have suggested that chocolate may help to
protect against heart disease and even cancer.
While some of these have distinguished between dark and milk
chocolate, many have not.
In this latest study, researchers from the University of Glasgow
and Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research
carried out tests using both varieties.
They recruited 12 healthy volunteers, seven woman and five
men, who were asked to eat dark and milk chocolate.
They found that volunteers had to consume twice as much milk
chocolate as dark chocolate to obtain the same amount of antioxidants.
To take account of this, the participants, aged 25 and 35,
were offered a double helping of milk chocolate.
The researchers also looked at what happened when the volunteers
ate dark chocolate and drank milk at the same time.
Dark chocolate was found to boost blood antioxidant levels
by nearly 20%.
Dairy effects
However, there was no such effect when volunteers ate milk
chocolate or drank milk with dark chocolate.
"What this tells us, is that probably the proteins
in milk bind with the antioxidants in chocolate," Professor Alan Crozier
of Glasgow University told BBC News Online.
"As a consequence, they are not being absorbed to
the same extent as they would be with dark chocolate. Any potential
protective
effects are lost."
The findings raise the possibility that dairy products may
interfere with the healthy properties of other foods, such
as fruits, tea and red wine, which are also believed to have
anti-oxidant effects.
The researchers said future studies into the health impacts
of these foods should take this into account.
While lovers of dark chocolates may seize on the study findings,
Professor Crozier warned against over indulging.
"Milk and dark chocolate contains high levels of saturated
fats, which get into the blood stream and increase levels of
cholesterol,
increasing the risks of heart disease.
"I would advise moderate consumption, maybe a small
bar of chocolate a day.
"It is a useful supplement to a balanced diet but
it should not be a substitute for five pieces of fruit and
vegetables
each day."
© BBC
MMIII, BBC
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