Efficacy of Chocolate on Hypercholestrolemic Rats

Abstract

Chocolate comprises number of raw and processed foods produced from the seed of the tropical cocoa tree. Chocolate is produced from cocoa mass added with sugar and cocoa butter. Chocolate has been promoted for its health benefits, as it seems to possess substantial amount of antioxidant that reduces the formation of free radicals. Researchers concluded that chocolate containing higher amount of cocoa have higher procyanidins content, so higher antioxidant capacities. Evidence suggests that regular consumption of cocoa products containing flavanol may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess the effect of chocolate on lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic rats. The rats were grouped under three categories; Triton 400mg was injected to experimental rats to make it hypercholesterolemia. Based on the objectives a cocoa rich chocolate sample was developed using cocoa seed, cocoa butter, sugar and lecithin and the experimental hypercholesterolemia rates were feed with chocolate sample for duration of 20 days, and the lipid profile was analysed at initial and at final days of supplementation. During the period of supplementation, the Cholesterol and LDL level were decreased gradually which may be due to the supplementation of chocolate. Significant reduction was observed at 5% level. Thus, it was concluded that in the present study there was a significant effect on lipid profile of chocolate supplemented with hypercholesterolemic rats.