Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Healthy Chocolate

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, February 14, 2005

STORY:  HEALTHY CHOCOLATE
SCRIPT #594
AIRDATE:  Monday, Feb. 14, 2005
Daybreak and Midday
DHC #18  Timecode: 1:00:30

Is chocolate candy bad or good for your health? Researchers continue to study the cocoa bean and come up with some surprising research. With Valentine's Day approaching, Dr. Linda Niessen has heartening news for chocolate lovers in this segment of Dental Health Check.

Cocoa beans contain three substances that may be healthy when processed into chocolate. They are flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins. During digestion, flavonoids and polyphenols produce antioxidants which may guard against cancer and heart disease.  

"Flavonoids have been shown to Registered Dietitian have heart healthy effects," said Lisa Harper. Lisa is both a dental hygienist and registered dietitian, a rare combination. Harper says it's important to note that some research studies are funded by candy companies. Still, chocolate may do more good than harm if consumed in moderation. About this she adds, "Phenols themselves actually help cholesterol."

For dental health, tannins may prove to be beneficial. How do the tannins work, we asked? "The tannins stop the action of the bacteria on the teeth. So it just stops the process of cavity formation." So what would be your recommendation for the healthiest chocolate for Valentine's Day? "Dark chocolate. It has more tannins, flavonoids and phenols. All the good stuff."

Sharon Zaidins eats chocolate every day as the owner of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the Dallas Galleria. "I've been doing this since 1986 and I don't have a cavity in my mouth," said Sharon.  So if you get a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, avoid nibbling on its contents all day long. For your dental health, limit your snacking to once, or maybe twice a day.

For Baylor College of Dentistry, The Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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