They help to reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants also offer some anti-aging benefits. The positive effects of antioxidants in chocolate, known as flavanoids, have just recently been discovered, in the past two to three years. When researchers gave their subjects chocolate to eat, they observed increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A high ratio of HDL cholesterol to low-density lipoprotein can also help reduce the heart disease risk.
Most flavanoid research is funded by the chocolate industry.
Despite this, a top public affairs official at the Chocolate Manufacturers Association in McLean, VA, says there is no need to be skeptical. Sales of chocolate were strong after the release of this study, but there is no evidence to show that these strong sales are due to the study. The owner of a chocolate shop in West Virginia says that sales at the shop have consistently increased 15 to 20 percent over the past six years. The owner can't say whether the new research has aided sales, but he does say that many of his customers have commented on the study. The news that chocolate may be good for you seems to have almost given people an excuse to consume more of it.