Some of the very same properties of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate that are responsible for protecting your heart and blood vessels may also be working to shield the fragile health of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, according to a recent study.
To measure the beneficial effect of dark chocolate, scientists gave 21 patients suffering from end-stage, liver disease liquid meals containing either dark chocolate containing 85 percent cocoa or white chocolate. No surprise, patients consuming dark chocolate with such high levels of cocoa experienced a much smaller rise in blood pressure compared to those given a white chocolate concoction (with no flavonoids).
This is very important because patients with cirrhosis of the liver can experience a dangerous rise in their abdominal blood pressures after meals that may cause their blood vessels to rupture and bleed in severe situations.
Learn more about the differences that separate dark chocolate from the average candy bar by reading my recent feature about the facts behind the chocolaty effect on your health.
