WASHINGTON - A myriad of studies have done their best to convince people of the beneficial effects of consuming chocolates. Cocoa beans are known to possess a compound called flavanols. These compounds are known to keep the blood vessels healthy. However, not all chocolates contain these compounds in significant measures to promote health and therein lies the catch.
Mars, Incorporated, the world leader in chocolate production has been able to incorporate these flavanols into their chocolates. The patented Cocoapro(R) cocoa process ensures that these compounds are retained to the maximum possible levels in their products, "It's not about eating more chocolate, but rather about working flavanol-rich foods into an overall healthy, balanced diet. First start with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and then you may be able to fit in an 80-calorie CocoaVia(R) Bar," says Marlene Machut, Nutrition Communications Director at Mars. These compounds are also found in some amounts in red wine, grapes, apples and green tea.
However, cocoa remains the best source. "Most chocolate, in fact, isn't flavanol-rich," says Norm Hollenberg, a radiology professor at Harvard Medical School. "But all chocolate is rich in fat and calories. Chocolate is a delight. It can and should be part of a prudent diet. That means you limit what you take." Mars though has taken this into its stride and is striving to produce granola bars with the maximum content of flavanols. These bars have plant sterols in them as well, sterols are known to decrease cholesterol levels in the blood and therefore decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Harold Schmitz, the company's chief science officer said that researchers are excited about the potential of cocoa flavanols. In fact, a recent study conducted in Italy showed that these compounds reduced systolic blood pressure quite significantly.
Hollenberg had the last word though, "The pharmaceutical industry has spent tens, probably hundreds of millions of dollars in search of a chemical that would reverse that abnormality. And God gave us flavanol-rich cocoa, which does that. So the excitement is real," he observed.
