Nibble at chocolate for a healthy baby--study
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that drives up the blood pressure and hampers the transfer of oxygen and nutrients through the placenta to the baby causing difficulties like premature birth, stillborn babies, caesarian, or even the death of the mother.
The researchers stated, “Women who reported regular chocolate consumption of more than three servings a week had a 50 per cent or greater reduced risk of pre-eclampsia. Regular chocolate intake during the first or third trimester was equally protective.”
Dietary habits of 2500 women during pregnancy assessed
In a bid to investigate whether chocolate consumption during pregnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and hypertension, researchers from Yale University questioned 2,500 females about what their dietary habits were during pregnancy.
All the participants were asked to furnish information about their medical and reproductive history, Body Mass Index (BMI), and smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and exercise habits.
In addition, the women were asked about their weekly chocolate consumption including drinks and cocoa based snacks.
Findings of the study
The researchers found that regular consumption of chocolate helps stave off pre-eclampsia or the high blood pressure that goes along with it.
Women consuming more chocolate including hot cocoa were 50 percent less likely to develop complications during pregnancy. These women ate three or more servings of the delicious treat in a week.
In addition, the researchers noted that chocolate intake during the first or third trimester was equally protective. Only 36 percent of the moms-to-be who developed pre-eclampsia admitted to be regular chocolate treats.
Researchers theorize that theobromine, the chemical in the chocolate that gives it a bitter taste, helps to regulate the blood pressure.
Some limitations
Experts, feel there is clearly a need for further research to provide firm evidence that chocolate can protect against pre-eclampsia.
The study was not conducted in a controlled environment, and the findings may be distorted because women were asked to recall their eating habits over a relatively long period, much after they had their babies.
Also, the study failed to examine if the benefits were confined to any specific type of chocolate.
The study is published in the journal Annals of Epidemiology.