Chocolate boost for heart
Tuesday June 16th, 2015
A small bar of chocolate daily may help cut the risk of developing heart disease or suffering stroke, according to the findings of a major UK study reported today.
The
findings reflect others on the potential health benefits of chocolate
- but will still cause surprise as chocolate can contain large amounts
of sugar and fat.
The latest study found that people eating chocolate consumed less protein and alcohol than others.
It involved an analysis of the lifestyles of some 21,000 people in Norfolk, England, over a period of 12 years.
The participant are taking part in a major European health study, filling in regular questionnaires about their diet and lifestyle.
Researchers found that eating up to 100g of chocolate a day was linked to an 11% reduced risk of heart disease compared with not eating the substance. There was a 25% reduced risk of death from heart disease or stroke, they report in the journal Heart.
Participants were more likely to eat milk chocolate than dark chocolate, which sometimes has been cited as the only safe form of the substance.
The researchers, led by Professor Phyo Myint, of Aberdeen Medical School, Scotland, state: “This may indicate that not only flavonoids, but also other compounds, possibly related to milk constituents, such as calcium and fatty acids, may provide an explanation for the observed association.
“There does not appear to be any evidence to say that chocolate should be avoided in those who are concerned about cardiovascular risk.”
Heart 16 June 2015 [abstract]
Tags: Diet & Food | Europe | Heart Health | UK News
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