Women who consume 20-30 grams of natural chocolate up to three times a month have 1/3 less risk of heart failure ...
Consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate reduces the risk of heart failure in women, according to a study by an American specialist.
Researchers at Harvard University studied the eating habits of more than 30,000 Swedish women between the ages of 48 and 83 for nine years.
The results showed that women who consumed 20-30 grams of natural chocolate up to three times a month had a 1/3 lower risk of heart failure than those who completely avoid it.
Experts warn that with more frequent consumption (1-2 times a week) the beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system disappears, and when eating chocolate 3 to 6 times a week, the risk of heart failure even increases.
Scientists are still unsure whether the relationship between dark chocolate consumption and the risk of cardiovascular problems is valid for men.
Previous research has shown that small amounts of natural chocolate can lower blood pressure, but conducted by Harvard scientists is the first to show a long-term beneficial effect on health and heart with regular and measured consumption of dark chocolate.
Chocolate with a high cocoa content is rich in polyphenols (close to those in wine), which in turn have good antioxidant properties and are extremely beneficial to health. These compounds are called flavanoids and include catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin. Flavonoids increase the resistance of capillaries, stimulate the heart, have diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, affect the metabolism of iodine and calcium in the body
Only 6 g of dark chocolate a day, with at least 60% cocoa content, lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It also has an effect on low-density lipoproteins, the so-called 'bad cholesterol' and also contributes to the good condition of the vascular endothelium.
"We need to emphasize that only dark chocolate, which has a minimum amount of sugar and fat, benefits the cardiovascular system," said Dr. Mittelman, head of research and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Epidemiology at Harvard Medical Institute. in Boston.
Other varieties of chocolate are delicious, but do not benefit health because they contain a minimum amount of cocoa and a lot of sugar. They increase calorie intake and can lead to obesity if consumed in excess.
The results of the study were published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.