Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 In The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health, Dr. Dean Ornish begins by describing his daily consumption of " really fat gourmet dark chocolate. " He explains that dark chocolate is rich in flavonols and catechins, which may reduce the risk of heart disease, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate (but not white chocolate or milk chocolate) is high in protective substances called flavonols. Flavonols cause your arteries to produce more of a substance called " S-nitrosoglutathione, " which is converted to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes your arteries and lowers your blood pressure. He lists dark chocolate (small amounts) under Group 2 More-Healthful Choices. However, because chocolate (unprocessed cacao is rather bitter-tasting so sugar's added) is usually high in fat and sugar as well a flavonols, he suggests that we enjoy small amounts of chocolate. Read Dr. Ornish's " Chocolate to Live For! " at http://www.newsweek.com/id/71545 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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