From foodconsumer.org
Scientists want to see if chocolate helps diabetes patients
By Sue Mueller
Apr 28, 2008 - 9:06:19 AM
MONDAY April 28, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- British scientists want chocolate lovers to join a trial to investigate the possible beneficial effect of flavonoids in diabetes patients, Reuters reported Monday.
The trial, reportedly scheduled to start in June, is intended to explore whether flavonoids found in chocolate and other foods can reduce heart risk for menopausal women with type 2 diabetes, which is associated with increased risk of heart disease.
Half the women in the one-year trial will be assigned a chocolate containing 30 grams of flavonoids found in soy, cocoa and other fruits and vegetables while another half get chocolate without the compounds.
Studies have suggested dark chocolate full of flavonoids may help heart health, but scientists worry that sugar and fat in chocolate may cancel out some benefits, according to Reuters.
One possible protective activity of flavonoids may be derived from the compounds as antioxidants. But when these compounds are served in chocolate, the benefit is not as clear.
A study led by scientists at the Linus Pauling Institute and published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine showed flavonoids have little or no direct antioxidant value as they are poor absorbed if there is, according to wikipedia.