Johnston might actually be doing herself a favor, according to new research. The research suggests that drinking cocoa affects the function of platelets, a substance in the blood involved in making blood clots. Drugs like aspirin, which also affect platelets, can protect against heart attack and stroke. Chocolate has nourished athletes going for the gold, soldiers in battle, and even astronauts traveling in the space shuttle. The Aztecs used cocoa as currency, with the going rate being four cocoa beans for one turkey.
Chocolate can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in appropriate amounts.
Keen's study, which was published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , showed that drinking cocoa, but not a caffeinated drink or water, decreased the platelets' tendency to clump together. Blood samples were taken before, two hours after, and six hours after subjects were given cocoa, a caffeinated drink, or water. There were 10 subjects in each group, and all subjects were healthy nonsmokers without heart disease. All refrained from using medications or eating foods that might affect platelet function. Das was not involved in the study.