After so many recent blogs with negative news about your health risks, I thought you’d enjoy a positive one … chocolate reduces stroke risk!Reuters reports that, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, chocolate consumption may be linked to a reduced risk of stroke.
HealthDay reports, “The study included more than 33,000 Swedish women between the ages of 49 and 83. None of the women had any history of stroke, heart disease, cancer or diabetes when the study began in 1997.”
Scientists speculate that substances known as flavonoids, in particular so-called flavanois, may be responsible for chocolate’s apparent impact on health.
As I’ve told you in previous blogs, chocolate should preferably be consumed as dark chocolate, as it contains more of the beneficial flavonoids, as well as less sugar.
One of the researchers said, “There’s an upside and a downside to everything. I don’t think people should eat all the chocolate they can, but some chocolate in moderation can have some benefit.”
She added that it’s important to remember that chocolate has a lot of sugar and fat, and it also contains caffeine. So, if you’re prone to irregular heartbeats or high blood pressure, eating chocolate may affect those conditions.