Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2011 Dec;136(51-52):2657-63. Epub 2011 Dec 14.

Cacoa and dark chocolate in cardiovascular prevention?.

Belz GG, Mohr-Kahaly S. Cocao has been shown over numerous studies to have a positive effect on heart health by affecting factors such as vasodilation, which increases the flow of blood, and helps to lower blood pressure. A decrease in platelet stickiness has also been demonstrated, which may be useful in the prevention on blood clot formation. Cacao also shows a slightly anti-inflammatory effect. The daily dose required to exhibit these effects is 25g of dark, flavanol rich chocolate with at least 85% cocao content.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Aug;65(8):879-86. Epub 2011 May 11.

Effects of cocoa products/dark chocolate on serum lipids: a meta-analysis.

Tokede OA, Gaziano JM, Djouss L. Intervention with dark chocolate and cacao products significantly reduced serum LDL cholesterol (commonly termed Bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels. There was no effect on HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol), as the levels were maintained.
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011 Nov 15;15(10):2779-81. Epub 2011 Jun 13.

Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease.

Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. Again, chocolate and cocao have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, reducing inflammation around nerve tissue. There is a possible application for this in the treatment of sciatic nerve issues in back-pain patients. Cocao also has a positive effect on satiety, keeping you fuller for longer. The anti-oxidant content of cocao also may have a positive effect on insulin resistance, reducing the risk of type-II diabetes. Cocao may also strengthen the immune system.

Theobromine inhibits sensory nerve activation and cough

Omar S. Usmani*, Maria G. Belvisi,1, Hema J. Patel, Natascia Crispino, Mark A. Birrell, Mrta Korbonits, Dezs Korbonits and Peter J. Barnes New research has looked at the use of theobromine in the effective treatment of the chronic cough. Theobromine is a component of the cocao bean used in chocolate manufacture. It was found that theobromine inhibited the coughing reflex to a variety of nasal irritants compared to a placebo.

In-vitro effects of polyphenols from cocoa and [beta]-sitosterol on the growth of human prostate cancer and normal cells

Jourdain, Carinea; Tenca, Guillaumea; Deguercy, Alaina; Troplin, Philippeb; Poelman, Dirkb Cocao phenyols induced an inhibition of growth of prostate cancer cells, but with no unwanted inhibitions on normal cells.

Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and a Higher Antioxidant Capacity than Teas and Red Wine
Ki Won Lee, Young Jun Kim,Hyong Joo Lee, and Chang Yong Lee Cocoa contains much higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids than black tea, green tea, and red wine, three commonly reported high-phenol containing substances. Phenol and flavonoid content are strongly correlated with antioxidant levels, indicating that cocao may have strong antioxidant capabilities.