Chocolate has been a controversial subject over the last month, as breaking news have appeared announcing that the dark chocolate diet is a mockery and dark chocolate doesn’t actually have the properties to make your body slimmer.
However, it is known that chocolate sweetens the heart, hence makes it beat better and stronger. Previous studies were stating these facts in relation to dark chocolate only, but now it seems that our favorite milk chocolate is just as good to make our hearts sing with health.
Middle aged people who eat as much as 3.5 ounces of chocolate a day receive cardiovascular benefits, according to a recently published report. There was a study conducted for that matter and the research team analyzed 20.951 adults, tracking the impact of diet in the long term. Participants have benefited from a 12 year follow up and from the total amount of patients, only 14% were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that participants who consumed large quantities of chocolate had an 11% lower risk to develop coronary heart disease and a 23% lower risk of stroke.
Scientists are not yet sure what is the active ingredient that makes chocolate good for the heart, the study needs more analysis. But the good news is that we don’t have to constrain ourselves from eating milk chocolate too, as its effects are as beneficial as in the case of dark chocolate. Presumably, the flavonols found in chocolate could contribute to risk reduction of heart disease and stroke.
Moderate consumption is also advised, as excesses can make us fat and can pose other risks. No more than 3.5 ounces of chocolate are enough to keep our hearts beating at a good pace.
In spite of all the pieces of news that regularly appear, with pros and cons in regards to chocolate or caffeine, overall the two are very good for health as long as we can keep a balance of consumption. The active ingredients found in chocolate are known to bring us energy, enhance memory functions and boost our moods. Same happens with coffee, that consumed in balanced quantities can flavor up our days and can make us more efficient with our work.
Chocolate consumption on a daily basis is associated with a 29% reduced risk for CVD and 21% reduced risk for stroke. High consumption is associated with 45% reduction in cardiovascular mortality, versus lower consumption. A bar of milk chocolate a day makes the heart grow stronger, and that is based on facts. People all over the world, indulge yourselves!
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