Heart disease is recognized worldwide as the leading cause of death. High cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, and damaging of blood vessels due to high blood pressure are all factors related to cardiovascular health.Medical experts and nutritionists recommend a heart healthy diet and plenty of exercise to combat heart disease. Research also suggests that antioxidants could play a vital role in helping to support cardiovascular health.Epigallocatechin gallate, ECGC in Green Tea, procyanidins & epicatechins in pure Cocoa and the powerful antioxidant resveratrol have been studied extensively for their antioxidant value, particularly for their benefit to heart health. Along with a heart healthy diet and exercise, research indicates these flavonoids, if included regularly in your diet, may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.Their potency is dependent on their antioxidant value. Antioxidant value is measured in ORAC (Total Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). Raw cocoa in its purest form has the highest ORAC value of 26,000 units and dark chocolate with an ORAC of 13,120. Green Tea is marked at 1,220 ORAC and red grapes which contain resveratrol have an ORAC of 750.Heart Healthy Antioxidants from Green Tea, Chocolate and ResveratrolEpidemiological studies show that these antioxidants help to improve heart health in a number of ways. They basically work in the same way to support cardio-protective health. 1,2AtherosclerosisStudies show that flavonoids can help to dilate the brachial artery by 3.9% after the first 30 minutes from the time of ingestion.3 It is believed that Resveratrol and antioxidants found in Green Tea, Chocolate and Resveratrol help to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which in turns helps to relax the blood vessels, increasing its dilation. This results in improved flow and circulation. Poor flow and circulation is the main reason for the progression of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the heart arteries.These particular antioxidants also help to protect the arteries by reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol which leads to plaque formation in the arteries. 4-7 Myocardial InfarctionECGC in Green Tea, Procyanidin in Chocolate and Resveratrol are believed to help block a protein in the blood that is responsible for inflammatory damage to the heart after a myocardial infarction. These antioxidants help to reduce the death of heart muscle cells by reducing the damage to the cells caused by oxidation. In addition, green tea is also believed to accelerate the recovery of patients who have suffered myocardial infarction. 8-15Coronary Artery DiseaseStudies indicate that regularly including these antioxidants in your diet may offer cardio-protective results. ECGC in Green Tea, Epicatechin and Procyanidin in Chocolate and Resveratrol are all believed to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by supporting good blood flow and circulation in the heart, helping to reduce oxidative damage caused by free radical activity. 16-18, 20-22, 26Belinda Linden, head of medical information at the British Heart Foundation said: “Green tea has, in the past, been associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease, with claims that its high antioxidant properties may cut the amount of cholesterol in the artery wall.”These antioxidants are also believed to have anti-thrombotic properties. This means it helps to reduce the clotting of blood, or thrombosis which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.19, 23-25Blood PressureReseveratrol and antioxidants found in Green Tea and Chocolate help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. According to the Internal Medicine Archives (July 2004), there is a 46% reduced risk of developing high blood pressure for people who drank ½ to 2 ½ cups of green tea a day for one year. The risk was 65% lower for people who drank more than 2 ½ cups a day. 27-30Lowering Bad CholesterolStudies show that these antioxidants increase the liver’s LDL receptors. These receptors bind LDL, the bad cholesterol, and expel it through the digestive system without synthesizing it. This helps to support the regulation of normal cholesterol levels. 31-34Chocolate TeaThe combination of Cocoa, Green Tea and Resveratrol produces a powerful drink that supports heart health. CocoPure contains all three ingredients with absolutely no fat, no milk or sugars. It has an ORAC value of 5,250 for every 7.4 grams.References:
Tags: Cardiovascular, Chocolate, Health