It seems that dark chocolate plays a PROTECTIVE role on subjects who perform underwater activities; to be precise, it seems to protect those who are immersed in complications related to decompression sickness (MDD) and the so-called Taravana; both scuba divers and apnea divers are therefore involved.
The research was disseminated by the "Divers Alert Network Europe" (DAN) and the author of the experimental is Dr. Sigrid Theunissen. Below we will summarize it briefly.
In a first analysis, 20 freedivers were observed divided into two groups of 10; all subjects immersed themselves to a maximum depth of 20m. One group took 30g of dark chocolate (86%) 60 minutes before the dive. The second was conducted on 42 divers with self-contained breathing apparatus, also divided into two groups of equal numbers who carried out a 20-minute dive to a maximum depth of 33m; the first group took a similar chocolate bar 90 'before the dive.
The results of the tests showed in both studies that those who took chocolate had a significant increase in FMD, or the mediated flow dilation of the brachial artery (assessed with the ultrasound method of endothelial function); on the contrary, those who have not assumed it have shown a reduction of the same.
In conclusion, it seems that chocolate antioxidants are able to fight free radicals produced during the dive; the transient negative effects of free radicals worsen the flexibility and reactivity of the vessels, altering the internal lining of the arteries and endothelial function. Obviously, in physiological conditions, everything is restored to normal with the end of the dive.
30g of dark chocolate can therefore prevent endothelial dysfunction by reducing the possibility of decompressive stres and the formation of circulating gaseous bubbles responsible for MDD and (hopefully) also Taravana.
