Eating some of this a day can lead to a healthy heart

Eating some of this a day can lead to a healthy heart

First we're told that wine can help treat our sunburn, now we've been given the news that eating chocolate is good for our heart.

The good news just keeps on coming.

According to a review of prvious research, eating high levels of chocolate could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

The data from 114,009 patients suggested that the risk was cut by about a third, according to the study published on the BMJ website.

However, don't get too happy. They also found that excessive comsumption of the treat will lead to other illnesses.

The studies didn't examine the consumption of dark chocolate either, which is believed to be the most beneficial, but looked at other types including milk chocolate, bars, drinks, biscuits and desserts.

Dr Oscar Franco, from Cambridge Unversity, where the study was carried out, said that no one really understood why chocolate appeared to be so good for heart health.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "Foods are very complex structures where many substances interact to have a beneficial effect.

"Chocolate could be contributint to better quality of life, and that could be one of the mechanisms, but that's just speculation."

He cautioned that the study should not encourage people to indulge in chocolate and only suggested two pieces a day, as eating too much can lead to weight gain and Type 2 diabetes.

The study suggested that chocolate could one day be used to protect from heart problems and stroke - if the sugar and fat content of chocolate bars was reduced.

Dr Franco added: "The advice if you don't eat chocolate is not to start eating chocolate."




by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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