DISCLAIMER: THIS PAGE CONTAINS A GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION ON THE ABOVE TOPIC. IT IS NOT HEALTH ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH. YOU SHOULD NEVER RELY UPON THE INFORMATION GIVEN HERE. YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY WELL REQUIRE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT APPROACH. YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES IN YOUR MEDICATIONS, DIET, ACTIVITY, LIFESTYLE, ETC. WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING A LICENSED PHYSICIAN IN YOUR AREA.
There have been many reports in the lay media touting health benefits of eating chocolate.
These reports point out that chocolate contains antioxidants that are theoretically good for the heart. However, there is no proof that dietary antioxidants really do lower the risk of heart disease.
Chocolate is high in saturated fat. Not only is it fattening, but saturated fat also increases the risk of heart disease.
Much has been made of the fact that most of the saturated fat in chocolate is stearic acid, whic does not raise the level of the bad LDL cholesterol. However, stearic acid lowers the level of the god HDL cholesterol and raises levels of other types of bad cholesterol. Most importantly, research has been done that clearly demonstrates an increased risk of heart disease from the consumption of foods containing stearic acid.
RETURN TO HEALTHY HEARTS RESOURCE CENTER
HOME | CONTENTS | SEARCH | PRACTICE PROFILE | MEET THE PHYSICIANS | WHAT'S NEW |