According to epidemiological studies, a diet rich in flavonoids has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

In a randomized, blind, controlled, cross-sectional study by Ch. Vlachopoulos et al. (Greece), a study was carried out on the effect of dark (bitter) chocolate, which contains large amounts of flavonoids, on the functioning of the cardiovascular system of practically healthy people. Endothelial function, artery stiffness, propagation of pulse waves and free radical content in blood plasma (these indicators reflect the functional state of the cardiovascular system and are also predictive factors for the development of cardiovascular pathology) been used as evaluation indicators.

The study involved 17 healthy volunteers who studied the above indicators within 3 hours of consuming 100 g of dark chocolate. The evaluation of endothelial function, propagation of pulse waves and aortic stiffness was carried out by determining the dilation dependent on the flow of the brachial artery, the index of increase and the speed of the wave of carotid-femoral pulse, respectively. The evaluation of the free radical content in the blood plasma was carried out by measuring the plasma concentration of malondialdehyde and the total antioxidant capacity of the blood.

According to the results obtained, the chocolate intake was accompanied by a significant increase in the diameter of the brachial artery both at rest and during reactive hyperemia during the observation period (maximum increase of 0, 15 mm and 0.18 mm, respectively, p is less than 0.001). There was also a significant increase in flow-dependent dilation (an absolute increase of 1.43%, p less than 0.05) and a significant decrease in the index of increase during the observation period (decrease maximum absolute of 7.8%, p less than 0.001), which indicates a decreased propagation of the pulse wave, while the speed of the carotid-femoral pulse wave did not change significantly. The absence of changes in the concentration of malondialdehyde and the overall antioxidant capacity of the blood plasma after taking chocolate allowed us to conclude that there is no effect of this product on the content of free radicals in the blood plasma..

Thus, the study showed for the first time that the consumption of dark chocolate leads to a significant reduction in the propagation of pulse waves, does not affect aortic stiffness and can have a beneficial effect on endothelial function in adults. healthy. More studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of its use.