A. Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, director of Tufts HNRCA Antioxidants Research Laboratory, replies: For cocoas best-established health benefit-maintaining endothelium-dependent vasodilation, i.e., blood vessel function to support normal blood flow and heart health-the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded: In order to obtain the claimed effect, 200 milligrams of cocoa flavanols should be consumed daily. This amount could be provided by 2.5 grams of high-flavanol cocoa powder or 10 grams of high-flavanol dark chocolate, both of which can be consumed in the context of a balanced diet. This is now an approved health claim in Europe.
