DUSSELDORF, Germany, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- A German study finds a chemical found in chocolate, fruits and vegetables counteract smoking's effects on blood vessel function.
Dr. Malte Kelm of the University of Dusseldorf and his colleagues studied a group of 12 smokers. Six were given cocoa with extra flavanols added while the others were given cocoa with flavanols removed.
Nitric oxide levels and blood-vessel dilation were measured immediately before the cocoa was drunk and two hours afterwards. The group consuming the flavanol-enriched cocoa had more nitrous oxide and better dilated blood vessels than the other group.
Kelm warned smokers should not think they can overcome the effects of the habit by drinking cocoa. He said they were used as subjects because their blood vessel dilation tends to be poor.
Identifying flavanols' action on the blood vessels may lead to preventive or remedial treatments for heart disease, Kelm said.
The study was published in the Oct. 4 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
