CHOCOLATE

SOMETHING FOR THE CHOCOHOLICS

Chocolate is obviously known for its fabulous taste, and also its anti-oxidant properties and its use as an aphrodisiac. But we recently came across yet another great reason for enjoying it - research in the Journal of Internal Medicine has highlighted another potential health benefit of our favourite treat.

A recent study has shown that increased intakes of chocolate may decrease the risk of a heart attack victim from dying from heart-related problems, according to a joint US-Swedish study.” Eating chocolate two or more times per week was associated with a 66 % reduction in cardiac mortality, while less frequent consumption was also associated with smaller decreased risks” said the researchers. This may be because eating dark chocolate appears to improve in the short term the function of important cells lining the wall of blood vessels. A different study has also shown that eating dark chocolate seemed to make the blood vessels more flexible and therefore helped prevent the hardening of the arteries, one of the symptoms that can lead to heart attacks.
The researchers followed 1,169 non-diabetic people hospitalised after their first heart attack, and according to the results, consuming chocolate less than once per month, up to once per week and twice or more per week was associated with 27, 44, and 66 % reductions in cardiac mortality, respectively.
Now, we’re not saying that consuming mountains of dark chocolate is a fast-track to a healthy heart. Far from it. Or for that matter that the sugar is great for your skin. But we did love finding out that there can be at least some benefits to nibbling our favourite occasional treat – start unwrapping the next bar....

The researchers were affiliated with Karolinska Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, The National Board of Health and Welfare (Stockholm), and Uppsala University. Source: Journal of Internal Medicine Volume 266, Pages 248-257, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02088.x "Chocolate consumption and mortality following a first acute myocardial infarction: the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program" Authors: I. Janszky, K.J. Mukamal, R. Ljung, S. Ahnve, A. Ahlbom, J. Hallqvist.