OLIVE OIL ENRICHED DARK CHOCOLATE HAS HEART HEALTH BENEFITS - STUDY

A study presented recently at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC Congress) suggested dark chocolate enriched with 10% extra virgin olive oil may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  However, any commercial product will not able to be marketed as “chocolate” in Europe since at present, extra virgin olive oil is not included among the vegetable fats usable for chocolate production under Directive 2000/36/EC.  Lead author Dr. Rossella Di Stefano of the University of Pisa said commercial prospects were strong since private partner of the research team- Italian chocolate maker Vestri Cioccolato has already commercialized an olive oil chocolate product with “good results”. 

The research team at the University of Pisa, the Institute of Life Sciences in Pisa and the University of Siena explored the effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) enriched 70% cocoa dark chocolate compared to dark chocolate enriched with Panaia red apple.  A test group of 30 adults with at least three cardiovascular risk factors such as being a smoker, being overwieght or having a family history of cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to eat a solid 40g dark chocolate bar with either 10% EVVO or 2.5% dry apple daily for 28 days.  After comparing urine, blood samples, body mass index and blood pressure among other tests at baseline to results after the study, the researchers found EVVO chocolate was more effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors. The researchers said extra polyphenols in EVVO may be responsible.