Would YOU eat chocolate enriched with olive oil?

Unusual duo also significantly raises levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)
EPCs are critical for blood vessel repair and function to prevent artery hardening
Chocolate with olive oil has greater health benefits than the treat with apple
Results suggest heart disease risk is lowered in those susceptible to the disorder
Researchers from the University of Pisa analysed 26 otherwise healthy people

By Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 14:24 BST, 29 August 2017 | Updated: 15:06 BST, 29 August 2017

Chocolate enriched with olive oil may prevent heart disease, new research reveals.

Eating the possibly hard-to-stomach combination every day boosts so-called ‘good’ cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure, a study found.

It also significantly raises endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) levels, which are critical for blood vessel repair and function, the research adds.

Lead author Dr Rossella Di Stefano from the University of Pisa, said: ‘We found that small daily portions of dark chocolate with added natural polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil was associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile.

‘Our study suggests that extra virgin olive oil might be a good food additive to help preserve our “repairing cells”, the EPC.’

Chocolate enriched with olive oil may prevent heart disease, new research reveals (stock)

MARRIAGE PREVENTS DEATH FROM HEART DISEASE: NAGGING SPOUSES TO BE HEALTHY BOOSTS SURVIVAL BY 14%

Marriage prevents death from heart disease, research revealed earlier this month.

Married people are 14 per cent more likely to survive a heart attack than those who are single, a study found.

This is thought to be due to spouses nagging each other to live a healthy lifestyle, the research adds.

Husbands and wives can also be relied upon to remind the other to take their medication and generally help them to cope with their condition, the study found.

Lead author Dr Paul Carter from Aston University in Birmingham, said: ‘Marriage, and having a spouse at home, is likely to offer emotional and physical support on a number of levels’.

How the study was carried out

Researchers from the University of Pisa analysed 26 healthy people with at least three of the following heart disease risk factors: smoking, elevated lipid levels in the blood, high blood pressure or a family history of the condition.

The study’s participants received 40 grams of dark chocolate every day for 28 days.

For 14 consecutive days, the chocolate contained 10 per cent olive oil. For the remainder of the trial’s duration it included 2.5 per cent of the Italian red apple Panaia.

Dr Stefano said: ‘Research has found that the Italian Panaia red apple has very high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants.’

Urine and blood samples were collected before and after the study.

Chocolate boosts ‘good’ cholesterol

Results reveal that eating chocolate enriched with olive oil significantly increases EPC levels.

EPC is critical for blood vessel repair and function. Low levels are associated with thick, hard arteries, which are linked to heart attacks and stroke.

Eating chocolate with olive oil also increases ‘good’ cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.

Dr Stefano said: ‘We found that small daily portions of dark chocolate with added natural polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil was associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile.

‘Our study suggests that extra virgin olive oil might be a good food additive to help preserve our “repairing cells”, the EPC.’

The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Barcelona.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk