New research from Germany adds to mounting evidence linking dark chocolate with health benefits. Dark Chocolate is what is used for the chips in Vitamark's chewy and delicious chocolate chip version of the Appetizer Diet Cookies. The study's lead author, Dr. Dirk Taubert of the University of Cologne, said the blood pressure reductions with dark chocolate were small but still substantial enough to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease risks. The study, funded by the University Hospital in Cologne, appears in the July 4, 2007 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA. 2007;298:49-60.).

Forty-four volunteers aged 56 through 73 took part in the tests. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 6.3 g (30 kcal) per day of dark chocolate containing 30 mg of polyphenols or matching polyphenol-free white chocolate over a period of 18 weeks. The researchers reported that dark chocolate intake reduced blood pressure without changes in body weight, plasma levels of lipids or glucose. Hypertension prevalence in the trial group declined from 86 percent to 68 percent. White chocolate intake caused no changes in BP or plasma biomarkers.

Recent scientific research had already shown chocolate to be relatively high in antioxidants, which help the body fight free radicals that damage body tissues.* Dark chocolate has almost twice the antioxidants of milk chocolate.

One concern other hypertension experts cautioned was that weight gain from eating large amounts of dark chocolate would counteract any benefits on blood pressure. The chocolate chip Appetizer Diet Cookie contains  only 4g of fat and just 120 calories per 38g serving.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.