Johns Hopkins Study Finds That Dark Chocolate Helps Prevent Blood Clots
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that a small amount of dark chocolate every day can help to thin out the blood, and that this may in turn help to reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
The researchers at Johns Hopkins observed the platelet levels of a group of individuals for the study. Initially they analyzed the effects of aspirin on platelets, which can stick to one another to form clots, often resulting in a heart attack or a stroke. The participants in the study were told to avoid chocolate during the study, but 139 of the participants were unable to follow this advice and instead continued their daily chocolate consumption.
The scientists decided to stick with the study and to compare the blood of those chocolate consumers with those who did abstain. When they did the comparison they found that the chocolate lovers’ platelets clotted at 130 seconds outside of the body, compared to the other participants, whose blood clotted at 123 seconds. From this, the scientists have concluded that the chemicals contained in the cocoa, possibly the flavonoids in chocolate, where responsible for a blood thinning effect on a par with aspirin.
These researchers stated that people may be able to benefit from eating a moderate amount of dark chocolate every day, although they also stressed that it is important to take note of the sugar and butter content of the chocolate. Dark chocolate, with its higher cocoa to sugar ratio, is thought to have potential health benefits far greater than milk chocolate.
It is also important for those pursuing the possible health benefits of dark chocolate to moderate their intake of this treat. A reasonable serving size would be approximately two tablespoons each day.
While further studies will no doubt shed more light on the possible health benefits of dark chocolate and the substances it contains, chocolate lovers from around the country and around the world will be happy to know about the results of this study. This study suggests that dark chocolate may have many of the same healthful benefits of many nonprescription preparations, without the risk of side effects those medications can contain. So sit back and enjoy a small amount of dark chocolate while you read this fascinating new study from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University.
