[HEALTH] If anyone needs an excuse to eat more chocolate, here it is! A randomized, controlled study conducted by UCSF (funded by Mars, Inc., it should be noted) and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) found that participants who consumed two cups of 70%+ dark chocolate per day experienced a two-fold increase in angiogenic cells.
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, supports wound healing and improves oxygen delivery throughout the body, which can reduce cardiovascular events. Stem cells fuel the angiogenetic process, making it possible. Stem cells are neutral, regenerative cells that can become specialized, repair tissue, reduce inflammation and pain, and assist in fighting disease.
The chocolate-induced boost in stem cell production was largely attributed to its flavonol content, highlighting one of the many ways dark chocolate can benefit your body. Truly amazing!