Regular aerobic exercise improves heart health by aiding in weight loss, lowering blood pressure, and improves insulin sensitivity (reducing the risk of diabetes). Diets low in saturated fat that include fish such as salmon, lots of vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains may help lower cholesterol and support healthy blood vessel function.

Chocolate Found to be Good for Diabetics

In a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2008;51:2141–9), researchers found that cocoa can reverse some of the damage that diabetes has on blood vessels, and might possibly protect against heart disease.

Plant chemicals called flavanols are found in cocoa as well as in fruits, vegetables and tea. Studies have found that flavanols help lower blood pressure, decrease blood stickiness (preventing clot formation), increase insulin sensitivity, and lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol. This study looked at cocoa’s effect on blood vessel dilation-a key indicator of vessel health. All the people who drank the high-flavanol cocoa beverage in both parts of the study, had significant improvements in blood vesseldilation without any side effects.

The same effect was seen after 30 days, suggesting that cocoa’s effect didn’t wear off after repeated use. Cocoa actually reversed blood vessel damage after 30 days, so that measurements of blood vessel function were comparable to those of healthy people of the same age.

Flavonal content varies among products and the way flavonols are metabolized may be influenced by other substances in the body, so results may vary. And since many chocolate products are high in sugar, fat, and calories, chocolate lovers with diabetes should keep in mind that reducing or preventing overweight and obesity is an important part of managing diabetes and heart health.

The Bottom Line... The Bottom Line... The Bottom Line...

"The degree of reversal of blood vessel dysfunction was comparable to the reported degree of improvement observed after using controlled exercise or drugs, including insulin," said the study’s authors. "Assuming that improvement of blood vessel dysfunction is associated with better cardiovascular prognosis, the regular intake of flavanol-containing cocoa should produce similar effects." Both studies cited this week demonstrate the effect of lifestyle on health!