Waternola

Every season like  Christmas, you may eat chocolate with a little less guilt. A recent study conducted by cardiologists at the Athens Medical school in Greece shows that chocolate positively affects the endothelial cells in the walls of the blood vessels, an overall indication of the health of the cardiovascular system.

In the study, scientists fed three and a half ounces of dark, bittersweet, chocolate or fake chocolate to 17 healthy volunteers. An ultrasound was then taken of each volunteer to see the functioning of the endothelial cells in the main artery of their upper arm. The test showed that the cells were able to successfully regulate the flexibility of the vessel and influences blood clotting.

“During the chocolate season, endothelial function was improved, whereas during the placebo day there were no such changes,” the study concluded. “The favorable effects of dark chocolate lasted for three hours at least.”

The experts added that while dark chocolate may be a power food, they warned against bingeing on it as a way to avoid heart trouble. Excess calories mean weight gain, which is also bad for the heart, they said. Well, so much for chocolates.