This past February, a university group sponsored by Mars reported that, like aspirin, chocolate thins the blood, which helps prevent heart attacks. Mars also funded a nutritionist to investigate the historical use of chocolate as a medicine, perhaps searching for additional health claims. Scientists debate whether the chemicals in chocolate have a positive effect. But if the candy companies have their way, your doctor might someday prescribe chocolate for your health. The chemicals responsible for the buzz about chocolate and red wine are plant compounds bearing long and cumbersome names like polyphenols, flavonoids, and cyanidins.
Most scientists simply use the name phenols.
Fruits and vegetables are loaded with phenols, which protect the precious seeds inside. It could be that fruits and vegetables have this effect because they contain fewer calories and fat than meat and dairy products. Researchers have shown that phenols seem to make a heart healthy, but the results don't prove that only phenols that fight heart disease. They found that although people in France typically eat foods that are higher in fat, calories, and cholesterol than Americans, their hearts are healthier and their cholesterol levels are lower. Authors of the study say it's copious amounts of red wine.