New research involving over half a million adults has revealed that consuming three bars of chocolate per month may lower the risk of heart failure. Individuals who ate up to three bars of chocolate monthly had a 13 percent lower risk of heart failure compared to those who consumed none.
The beneficial factor in chocolate is cocoa, which contains flavonoids that promote the health of blood vessels and help reduce inflammation. However, the study also cautioned against excessive chocolate consumption, as it was associated with an 18 percent higher risk of heart failure.
Dr. Chayakrit Krittanawong, the lead researcher from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, explained, “I believe that chocolate is an important dietary source of flavonoids, which are associated with reducing inflammation and increasing good cholesterol. Most importantly, flavonoids can increase nitric oxide, a gas that expands blood vessels, aiding circulation. However, chocolate may have high levels of saturated fats. I would say moderate dark chocolate consumption is good for health.”
Victoria Taylor, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, supported the findings, stating, “Cocoa has been linked to a variety of health benefits. This large-scale analysis suggests that enjoying a moderate amount of chocolate might protect you against heart failure, but too much can be detrimental. If you have a sweet tooth, make it an occasional small treat and opt for dark chocolate with the highest cocoa content.”
The study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference held in Munich.
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