A daily moderate chocolate intake could cut the risk of heart disease, a study has suggested. Research on more than half a million adults discovered that those who ate chocolate in moderation had a 13 per cent lower risk of heart failure, compared with those who ate none.
Research presented at the recent European Society of Cardiology conference in Munich, looked at five studies involving over half a million people and found those who eat chocolate bars three times per month reduced their risk of heart failure by 13 per cent, compared to those who didn’t eat chocolate at all.
This is due to the natural compounds in cocoa (flavonoids) which boosts blood vessel health, which can help to reduce inflammation.
However, the study is not a green light to eat chocolate in excess, as indulging every day appeared to raise the risk of heart failure by 17 percent.
Lead researcher Dr Chayakrit Krittanawong said:
“I believe that chocolate is an important dietary source of flavonoids which are associated with reducing inflammation and increasing good cholesterol.”
“However, chocolate may have high levels of saturated fats. I would say moderate dark chocolate consumption is good for health.”
