Study Shows That Chocolate Is Good For Your Heart

According to a study published in the journal Heart chocolate consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. So besides being very delicious, the most popular dessert in the world is also beneficial for your heart.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen (UK) have conducted a study on 20,951 adults, men and women from Norfolk. The researchers analyzed how diet influences long-term health. The participants in the study were kept under observation for 12 years. The researchers also took into account other studies which analyzed the relation between chocolate consumption and cardiovascular diseases. 157,809 people were involved in the pool.

The findings of the study indicate that 14% of the 20.951 adults suffered from cardiovascular diseases or stroke. The researchers also discovered that participants who consumed 3.5 ounces of chocolate daily had a reduced risk of developing cardio vascular diseases when compared with those participants who did not consume chocolate.

Unlike lower chocolate consumption higher consumption was connected with a 21% reduced risk of stroke and 29% reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. A higher intake of chocolate was also associated with a 45% reduction in mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases.

However it should be considered that the participants involved in the study were young people and had a low blood pressure and body mass index and were less likely to develop diabetes.

Science Media Centre from UK declared that it is difficult to say whether the lower risk is due to chocolate consumption or that other factors have influenced the results:

“The authors have tried to account for these as far as possible, but the nature of the study means that it is not possible to do that perfectly. Therefore, it is possible that the protective effect might be because of something else – not chocolate.”

Although multiple studies have indicated that chocolate is healthy, people should keep in mind that the studies are not conclusive and scientists are conducting further research in order to establish the exact benefits which chocolate has to offer. What is certain is the fact that eating too much chocolate can trigger weight gain and this has the contrary effect: because of extra weight and obesity the risk of heart disease and diabetes is increased.

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