Small amounts of chocolate gets the thumbs up

Findings in a study of over 19,000 people found that those who ate half a bar of chocolate a week had lower blood pressure, as well as a 39% lower risk of having heart attacks and strokes.

However, heart campaigners have warned that too much chocolate is damaging due to the number of calories and saturated fat.

The study looked at the chocolate consumption of middle-aged men ad women over eight years, comparing who ate the most and least.

The difference between the two groups was just 6 grams a day, equivalent to one small square of chocolate a day – but those who ate more chocolate cut their risk of heart attacks by around a quarter.

Dr Brian Buijsse, from the German Institute of Human Nutrition, Nuthetal said: “Our hypothesis was that because chocolate appears to have a pronounced effect on blood pressure, therefore chocolate consumption would lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks, with a stronger effect being seen for a stroke.”

However, he warned that it was important people ensured that eating chocolate did not increase their overall intake of calories or reduce their consumption of healthy foods.

“Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food, such as snacks, in order to keep body weight stable.” He said.

The flavanols in cocoa may be the reason why chocolate seems to be good for blood pressure and heart health, according to the researchers.

Dark chocolate may have a greater effect since there is more cocoa in it.

Victoria Taylor, Senior Heart Health Dietician, at the British Heart Foundation said: “This sounds like a dream for chocolate lovers and just in time for Easter too, but it’s important to read the small print with this study.

“The amounts consumed on average by even the highest consumers was about one square of chocolate a day or half a small chocolate Easter egg in a week, so the benefits were associated with a fairly small amount of chocolate.

“Some people will be tempted to eat more than one square, however, chocolate has high amounts of calories and saturated fat which are linked to weight gain and raised cholesterol levels. Two of the key risk factors for heart disease,”

By Deepika Dudakia