Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100415/thl-dark-cocoa-can-aid-liver-patients-d831572.html
Dark cocoa 'can aid liver patients'
Enlarge photo .Potent plant chemicals in cocoa reduce potentially dangerous high blood pressure in liver patients, a study has shown.
The effect was seen in a group of patients with serious cirrhosis of the liver.
Those fed the equivalent of less than half an average-sized chocolate bar experienced a significant reduction in raised liver blood pressure.
After eating, blood flow and pressure in the liver normally increases. But this can be dangerous for patients with cirrhosis - scarring of the liver - since they already suffer from elevated liver blood pressure, or portal hypertension.
In some cases the increase in blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the liver to rupture.
The new study led by Dr Andrea De Gottardi, from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain, involved 21 cirrhotic patients with end-stage liver disease.
Ten were randomly assigned a standard liquid meal including dark chocolate containing 85% cocoa. They received 0.55 grams of chocolate per kilogram of body weight - a total of 38 grams for someone weighing 70 kilograms, or 11 stone. An average-sized chocolate bar weighs about 100 grams.
Dark cocoa 'can aid liver patients'
Enlarge photo .Potent plant chemicals in cocoa reduce potentially dangerous high blood pressure in liver patients, a study has shown.
The effect was seen in a group of patients with serious cirrhosis of the liver.
Those fed the equivalent of less than half an average-sized chocolate bar experienced a significant reduction in raised liver blood pressure.
After eating, blood flow and pressure in the liver normally increases. But this can be dangerous for patients with cirrhosis - scarring of the liver - since they already suffer from elevated liver blood pressure, or portal hypertension.
In some cases the increase in blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the liver to rupture.
The new study led by Dr Andrea De Gottardi, from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain, involved 21 cirrhotic patients with end-stage liver disease.
Ten were randomly assigned a standard liquid meal including dark chocolate containing 85% cocoa. They received 0.55 grams of chocolate per kilogram of body weight - a total of 38 grams for someone weighing 70 kilograms, or 11 stone. An average-sized chocolate bar weighs about 100 grams.
Thanks for the info
Bonnie
Like Maggie Murphy I go for the 85% dark chocolate, actually very low in sugar. It does take a bit of getting used to, but I love it now.
Bonnie, an entire bar of the 85% chocolate only has 20g of carbs, and I only break off a square or two as a snack, so a bar will last me 3-4 days.
I've read terrible things about the phony sugars they use in candy. They are called sugar alcohols. Probably the one you'll see most is maltitol, I think sorbitol is another.
They can get through a loophole with their labeling to make them appear healthy, yet in reality they have up to 90% of the carbs of regular sugar, along with the lovely side effects of gas and diarrhea.
You would honestly be better of just eating a small amount of real sugar.
I'm pretty strict and try to keep my carbs at about 150g. But sparing 5-10 grams on good chocolate is certainly worth it.