Study: A small dose of chocolate could cut heart attack or stroke risk by almost 40 percent

[steven johnson]

I do like my dark chocolate.

LONDON (AP) — The Easter Bunny might lower your chances of having a heart problem. According to a new study, small doses of chocolate every day could decrease your risk of having a heart attack or stroke by nearly 40 percent.

German researchers followed nearly 20,000 people over eight years, sending them several questionnaires about their diet and exercise habits.

They found people who had an average of six grams of chocolate per day — or about one square of a chocolate bar — had a 39 percent lower risk of either a heart attack or stroke. The study is scheduled to be published Wednesday in the European Heart Journal.

Previous studies have suggested dark chocolate in small amounts could be good for you, but this is the first study to track its effects over such a long period of time. Experts think the flavonols contained in chocolate are responsible. Flavonols, also found in vegetables and red wine, help the muscles in blood vessels widen, which leads to a drop in blood pressure.



Study: A small dose of chocolate could cut heart attack or stroke risk by almost 40 percent

[BrklynLiberal]

1. HOORAY!!! Now I can eat the dark chocolate I love and call it health food!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[pnwmom]

2. I'm wondering how dark it has to be. I had a piece of 88% dark today and didn't like it. n/t

[elleng]

11. Maybe not too important, but brands important re: taste.

REALLY don't care for Ghiraredelli, and like Stover (even sugar free) a lot.

[hlthe2b]

21. Yeah... though I have developed an appreciation for fine chocolate

the really really dark types are a little strong for me. I guess that's the price we pay for growing up with Hershey's and all the domestic milk chocolate as a "standard."

[Lex]

23. What brand was it? Hershey's "Special Dark" is pretty good for

people who don't really like dark chocolate, imho. My SO doesn't really like dark chocolate, but she liked Hershey's Special Dark okay.

Myself, I like really, really dark chocolate.

[Dorian Gray]

29. That is pretty strong

Most health food blogs will say 1 oz. of 70% dark Chocolate is a good thing to indulge in. More than that, it's high calorically. Less than that, it doesn't do too much for you.

I can go up to 75% or so. The really dark stuff is great when used for cooking (or even melted to make chocolate skim milk!), but it's too bitter for me to eat straight.

[marybourg]

3. Who can eat just 6 grams? Not me! nt.

[TlalocW]

4. Endangered Species Chocolate

http://www.chocolatebar.com/

I eat a square of their 88% cacao dark chocolate about every day.

http://www.chocolatebar.com/shop/p-49-extreme-dark-chocolate-pouch.aspx

TlalocW

[havocmom]

5. I love the 70% with chili bits in it. Great stuff

[Lex]

24. my favorite kinds is with chili bits in it too!

soooo yummy

[tabatha]

6. A tsp or tbsp of cocoa (100%) into a cup

of hot almond or other milk - and you're covered with no additional sugar or processing.

[Bobbieo]

7. It has to be dark chocolate - milk or white chocolate doesn't cut it!

[tabatha]

12. Cocoa is 100% dark chocolate.

[elleng]

8. Thanks for the reminder!

Gotta get mine for the day!

'people who had an average of six grams of chocolate per day — or about one square of a chocolate bar — had a 39 percent lower risk of either a heart attack or stroke' and are probably just HAPPIER!

My Dad is 96! Proves the rule, right?

[rfranklin]

9. Wine and chocolate, good for your heart and good for your soul...

I like a nice dark, dark chocolate with a powerful Zinfandel.

[customerserviceguy]

19. And now

you can get really good stouts brewed with dark chocolate, so you can definitely have some choices!

[ThatPoetGuy]

10. I make the world's healthiest chocolate milk.

I start by heating a few ounces of water. I stir in some sweetener (sugar, splenda, stevia, whatever) and four or five tablespoons of cocoa. I add a tablespoon of soluble fiber, and then I pour in about twelve ounces of skim milk. I add a drop of vitamin D oil.

It's not the tastiest chocolate milk on earth, but it's tasty, and good for me.

[tabatha]

14. Mine is just almond milk and a heaping tsp of cocoa.

Sometimes with cinnamon. No sweetener.

[get the red out]

13. I am all set for good heart health!

Nothing better than dark chocolate, I used to eat unsweetened baking chocolate as a kid I like dark chocolate so much. I love the fair trade 88% stuff, awesome!!!!! It's my drug.

[struggle4progress]

15. I want a prescription for chocolate! THAT would be health care reform we could use!

[samplegirl]

16. Gonna have me a Bunny Butt

Right now!!!!!!!!!

[safeinOhio]

17. for me anything worth doing

is worth over doing.

[Juche]

18. It also helps with stress reduction

http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/news/20091113/dark-chocolate-takes-bite-out-of-stress

Also look up the health benefits of alcohol.

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/alcoholandhealth.html

Awesome. It reminds me of a Patton Oswalt skit. As of 2010 spinach is poison but chocolate and beer are considered health foods.

[demosincebirth]

20. I'm waiting for them to say that bacon is good for you.

[eppur_se_muova]

26. Maybe if you dip it in chocolate? nt

[Warpy]

22. I should live forever, then

I love chocolate, the darker the better, good, bitter, high quality, nearly black stuff.

I dislike the supermarket stuff, though, it's too sweet.

[eppur_se_muova]

25. I've cut mine by at least 800%. nt

[Lex]

27. LOL.

.... :thumbsup: ....

[Quantess]

28. Best news of the week!