Eating dark chocolate with extra virgin olive oil reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent Italian study.
Researchers at the Italian University of Pisa conducted the study and announced their findings Tuesday at the annual conference of the European Society of Cardiology in Barcelona, Spain.
The study included 26 volunteers (14 men and 12 women) who had factors that increased the risk of heart disease such as smoking, high cholesterol and a satisfactory history.
The researchers gave the participants 40 grams of dark chocolate containing extra virgin olive oil daily for 28 days.
Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed to identify and evaluate the development of arteriosclerosis and blood pressure measurements, monitoring the smoking status and body mass index of the participants.
The researchers found that dark chocolate mixed with olive oil reduced atherosclerosis and blood pressure levels of patients compared to their condition before the experiment.
She returned d. Dr. Rocella di Stefano, a cardiologist at the University, said that reducing the risk of heart disease when eating dark chocolate contains high levels of high-density lipoprotein and natural polyphenols.
She added that a healthy diet - containing antioxidants such as polyphenols found in vegetables, fruits, cocoa, olives and red apples - protects against heart disease.