Heart failure affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide – and nearly a third die within a year of diagnosis. However, according to researchers, consuming one product can protect us.
Scientists have found that moderate consumption of chocolate – up to three pieces a month – reduces a person’s risk of heart failure by 13%. Experts believe that natural compounds in chocolate, called flavonoids, increase the health of blood vessels and help reduce inflammation.
But they insist on moderation – eating chocolate is healthy if you do it occasionally, because a lot of sugar and fat can do more harm than good.
For example, in those who eat chocolate every day, the risk of heart failure increases by 17%.
Lead researcher Dr. Chaiyakrit Kritanawog of New York University School of Medicine said: “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 dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow),” he said.
“However, chocolate can be high in saturated fat. So moderate consumption is recommended. The study looked at five studies involving more than 575,000 people.
Dr Kritanavon believes dark chocolate is the healthiest because it contains the most flavonoids and the least sugar.
But he adds: “To make specific recommendations, we would need clinical trials comparing the milk chocolate group and the non-dark chocolate group.”
In addition, Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said cocoa was also linked to a variety of health benefits.
She said: “This large analysis suggests that enjoying a moderate amount of chocolate may protect you from heart failure, but too much can be harmful.
But critics consistently point out that these studies may be skewed because people at high risk of heart disease are more likely to avoid chocolate – so those who regularly eat the food may already be healthier.
Illustrative Photo by Eva Bronzini: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-black-chocolate-6261691/
