Chocolate cuts heart risk
Medical study highlights benefits of snack but warns of over-eating
EATING up to two bars of chocolate a day has been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease and stroke.
Research led by Aberdeen University found that compared with people who ate no chocolate, those with a higher intake of up to 100 grammes of chocolate had an 11 per cent lesser risk of cardiovascular disease and a 25 per cent reduced risk of associated death.
It was also linked with a nine per cent lower risk of hospital admission or death as a result of coronary heart disease, while it was similarly associated with a 23 per cent reduced risk of stroke, even after taking account of other factors.
The study, which came from analysis of almost 21,000 adults taking part in the Epic-Norfolk study, which is tracking the impact of diet on the long-term health of 25,000 men and women in Norfolk, concluded there is no evidence for cutting out chocolate to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Around one in five participants said they did not eat any chocolate but, among those who did, daily consumption averaged 7g (0.25oz) with some eating up to 100g. A Mars bar is 51 grammes while a Snickers is 48 grammes.
Those who ate the most also tended to be younger, have a lower weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure, and were less likely to have diabetes and more likely to carry out regular physical activity – all of which add up to a favourable cardiovascular disease risk profile, researchers said.
Eating more chocolate was also associated with higher energy intake and a diet containing more fat and carbohydrates and less protein and alcohol.
The study authors pointed out that dark chocolate is usually said to have more beneficial effects than milk chocolate, but milk chocolate was more frequently eaten by the Norfolk participants.
Professor Phyo Myint, of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Aberdeen University, said: “Our study concludes that cumulative evidence suggests higher chocolate intake is associated with a lower risk of future cardiovascular events.”
Dr Tim Chico, reader in cardiovascular medicine and consultant cardiologist at Sheffield University, said: “This study adds to the evidence that people who consume chocolate tend to have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, although such studies cannot say whether the chocolate is the cause of this protective effect.
“There is evidence from other studies that have randomised people to be given chocolate that this can have effects that might reduce cardiovascular disease, such as a reduction in blood pressure. These studies taken together suggest there might be some health benefits from eating chocolate. Chocolate has the potential to increase weight, which is unequivocally bad for cardiovascular health.”
“If you are a healthy weight, then eating chocolate (in moderation) does not detectibly increase risk of heart disease and may even have some benefit.
“I would not advise my patients to increase their chocolate intake based on this research, particularly if they are overweight.”
ACONSTANT diet of research on what we should and should not be eating can be bad for you. Often the advice is confusing and sometimes contradictory and the latest, on chocolate, is only likely to add to the confusion.
According to the research led by the University of Aberdeen, eating up to 4oz of chocolate a day could lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. The study found that compared to people who ate no chocolate, those with a higher intake had an 11 per cent lesser risk of cardiovascular disease and a 23 per cent reduced risk of stroke, even after taking account of other factors.
On the face of it, these are remarkable figures, but no one should rush out and start eating loads of chocolate as the participants in the research who ate the most chocolate tended to be younger, have a lower weight and blood pressure, and were less likely to have diabetes. They were also more likely to carry out regular physical activity.
Which means that the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle remain the same, only a little more chocolatety if that’s your thing. Keep to a healthy weight, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet and there’s nothing wrong with a little chocolate every day if you like. It might even be good for you.