NUTS, CHOCOLATE AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Course overview

Research has shown that eating tree nuts, peanuts, cocoa and cocoa-derived products reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease and has beneficial effects on CHD risk factors. Nuts may reduce the risk of CHD by lowering total and LDL cholesterol, reducing inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress, improving endothelial function, decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes in women and reducing the risk of weight gain. Cocoa flavonoids may protect against CHD by reducing the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, reducing inflammation, improving endothelial function, lowering blood pressure, increasing HDL cholesterol and decreasing insulin resistance.