Eating chocolate once a week helps maintain heart health

According to research, eating chocolate at least once a week is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

“Our study shows that chocolate helps maintain the health of blood vessels in the heart,” says lead author Dr. Chayakrit Krittanawong of Baylor College of Medicine. “In the past, clinical studies have shown that chocolate is good for both blood pressure and the lining of blood vessels.”

Researchers conducted a combined analysis of studies from the past 50 years that examined the relationship between chocolate consumption and coronary artery blockage. The analysis included six studies with a total of more than 336,000 participants.

Scientists found that compared to eating chocolate less than once a week, eating it more often than once a week led to a lower risk of coronary heart disease by 8%.

“Chocolate contains heart-healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid, which can reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol,” Krittanavong notes.