HOUSTON, TX July 5, 2007 /VitaOffice.com News/ -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- New research from Germany adds to mounting evidence linking dark chocolate with health benefits. Dark Chocolate is the essential ingredient for the chips in Vitamark International’s chewy and delicious chocolate chip version of the popular Appetizer Diet Cookies. The study's lead author, Dr. Dirk Taubert of the University of Cologne, said the blood pressure reductions with dark chocolate were small but still substantial enough to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease risks. The study, funded by the University Hospital in Cologne, appears in the July 4, 2007 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA. 2007;298:49-60).

Forty-four volunteers aged 56 through 73 took part in the tests. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 6.3 g (30 kcal) per day of dark chocolate containing 30 mg of polyphenols or matching polyphenol-free white chocolate over a period of 18 weeks. The researchers reported that dark chocolate intake reduced blood pressure without changes in body weight, plasma levels of lipids or glucose. Hypertension prevalence in the trial group declined from 86 percent to 68 percent. White chocolate intake caused no changes in BP or plasma biomarkers.

Recent scientific research had already shown chocolate to be relatively high in antioxidants, which help the body fight free radicals that damage body tissues.* Dark chocolate has almost twice the antioxidants of milk chocolate. Other Appetizer Diet Cookie ingredients such as fiber, protein, and Omega III fatty acids have also been highly touted for health benefits in published studies.

One concern other hypertension experts cautioned was that weight gain from eating large amounts of dark chocolate would counteract any benefits on blood pressure. Vitamark officials note that the chocolate chip Appetizer Diet Cookie contains only 4g of fat and just 120 calories per 38g serving while using an amount of dark chocolate similar to that used in the study.

For more information on Vitamark International, Monthly Autoship or items featured in this release, please use the contact information listed below.

Vitamark was founded in 2002 by entrepreneurs Tom "Big Al" Schreiter, David Bertrand and Jana Mitcham in Texas. Its products are available exclusively via a network of independent distributors who conduct business in over 40 countries. The business was open for full operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and an additional 30 markets the very first year of operation – an unprecedented feat in network marketing history.

Vitamark is committed to providing the highest quality products to its customers. The company's research and development organization combines the experience of the company's own product development specialists with a team of highly accomplished scientists and doctors. Vitamark has a Scientific Advisory Board, comprised of globally respected specialists in the field of nutrition.

Vitamark and the Vitamark affiliates are now operating in North America and all countries in the European Union (EU).