Can’t Live Without Chocolate?
No problem. Scientists may one day claim you need the stuff to be at
your healthiest.

It’s a theory growing from a study of the diets of a small Indian
tribe in the Panamanian islands. High blood pressure is virtually
unheard of within the group. And tribe members drink three or four 10-
ounce servings of cocoa per day. Coincidence?

Killer Compounds
The Panamanian tribe doesn’t drink run-of-the-mill cocoa. Because of
the gentle way they process their cocoa beans, their cocoa is chock-
full of epicatechin, a flavonoid that helps widen and relax blood
vessels. If the tribe’s lack of high blood pressure (as well as other
diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) does turn out to be
because of epicatechin, researchers speculate that the flavonoid could
one day be given vitamin status.

Other Potential Reasons

But before you buy stock in Hershey’s, there’s still research to be
done. The tribe members also eat lots of fish and fruit, and their
diet or their lifestyle — or both — may be part of the lack-of-
disease equation. So far, researchers have ruled out genetics.

Bottom Line
What remains true: Flavonoids are good for your heart; lots of
research points to this. But dark chocolate is just about your only
hope for chocolate that hasn’t had its flavonoids completely destroyed
by processing. And if you need to cut calories to lose weight, a
little bit of chocolate goes a long way.

But this sweet treat has chocolate’s health-boosting compounds without
the fat.
RealAge Benefit: Getting 31 milligrams of flavonoids — cocoa beans
are naturally rich in them — a day can make your RealAge 3.2 years
younger.

Try out this tip: Enjoy a cup of heart-friendly cocoa made from
organic Central American cacao beans.