Specifically, researchers at the Université Laval Québec City say munching on high-flavanol chocolates can boost fetal growth and make the placenta work more efficiently. Why? The reason may have something to do with what flavanols are: basically anti-oxidant rich nutrients, which are found naturally in cocoa, and have already been proven to boost circulation and possess heart-healthy benefits.
Researchers say indulging in the yummy treat may also help prevent preeclampsia, a dangerous form of high-blood pressure during pregnanc
To prove what pregnant women have wanted to be true for years, namely that chocolate is beneficial for baby, researchers looked at 129 women with single pregnancies, who were between 11 and 14 weeks along. Some ate low-flavanol chocolates, while others ate the high-flavanol version; both groups consumed about 30 grams, or about a third of a bar, daily for 12 weeks.
Using a measurement called the Doppler pulsatility index, researchers were able to determine that both groups showed improved uterine, placental, and fetal circulations. "This study indicates that chocolate could have a positive impact on placenta and fetal growth and development, and that chocolate's effects are not solely and directly due to flavanol content," says Dr. Emmanual Bujold.
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