3 months ago 28th Apr 13:16
Scientists are to run a trail to see whether eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease in women with diabetes.
The study will monitor postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, and the women will be required to eat a bar of chocolate a day for a year.
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans known to be a good source of compounds called flavonoids, which are thought to particularly beneficial for the heart.
The University of East Anglia is using a specially formulated form of chocolate using soy another bean rich in flavonoids this will compensate for the fact that many flavonoids are destroyed in the process of turning cocoa into chocolate.
The scientists are testing the theory that adding flavonoids to the diet may give added protection against heart disease on top of that provided by prescription drugs.
Deaths due to heart disease among women increase rapidly after the menopause and having type 2 diabetes increases this risk by a further three-and-a-half times.
If the trial confirms the hypothesis then it could have a far-reaching impact on the advice given to at-risk women.
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