LONDON, England (CNN) -- Scientists in the UK are seeking 150 women to eat chocolate every day for a year in the cause of medical research.The trial, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, eastern England, will test whether a natural compound found in cocoa, the main ingredient of chocolate, could cut the risk of heart disease among women with diabetes.
A Belgian confectionist has created the special chocolate bar containing high levels of flavonoids -- a plant compound that has been shown to reduce heart risk factors -- to be used in the experiment. Soy, another natural source of flavonoids, has also been added to the bar.
Participants, who must be postmenopausal women under the age of 70, will have their risk of heart disease tested on five occasions during the year to see whether change occurs.
"The hypothesis of this exciting study is that flavonoids may improve the level of protection against heart disease over and above that provided by conventional drugs," said Dr. Ketan Dhatariya, a consultant in diabetes at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
"If the trial confirms this, it could have a far-reaching impact on the advice we give to postmenopausal women who have type 2 diabetes."
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6 comments:
Me! But I don't quite qualify... Dang it.
Maybe next time.
Me! Me! Pick me! I've been practicing for years.
Sounds good. I don't really trust the soy in the chocolate (nutrition nerd that I am). I have some friends that are currently eligible that would enjoy this.
How come my health issues always involve some really unpleasant type of treatment? Next time, I want one that requires eating lots of chocolate or sitting in a hot whirlpool bath.
I'm with Ellie, but I want to eat chocolate, sit in a hot whirlpool bath, and have to read a book all at the same time.
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