It’s not like we ever need any encouragement to eat chocolate, but just in case, here’s one: a new study suggests that people who eat it regularly may not only be satisfying their sweet tooth craving, but also cutting down the risk of developing certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke by 37%, 31% and 29%, respectively.

"We found a potential link between chocolate consumption and prevention of heart disease,” said Dr. Oscar H. Franco, lead researcher from the department of public health and primary care at the University of Cambridge in the UK. The studies involved more than 114,000 participants and consumption of both dark and milk chocolate and incorporated chocolate bars, chocolate drinks and chocolate snacks. “At this point, we are in the early stages of research," he added.

Previous studies have already shown links between chocolate and the reduction of heart risk disease, as cocoa and cacao products appear to contain positive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the heart, but in this recent analysis, scientists found that those who consume the most chocolate on a regular basis virtually reduce their risk by one-third. It is not precise how much health benefits chocolate has to offer, though. Nevertheless, regular chocolate seemed to be significant.

According to World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Metabolic syndrome, coupled with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, concern about one fifth of the adult population globally.

The said diseases, however, are basically avoidable by means of lifestyle modification including diet and exercise, and chocolate may provide additional help in preventing these illnesses when further knowledge about its health effects is dug down deeper.

Most commercially available chocolate products have sky-high levels of sugar and fat that only contribute to weight gain, hypertension, diabetes, and yes, heart diseases. So further studies need to be conducted in order to know ways of reducing these harmful elements in chocolates yet still maintain its beyond pleasant taste.

Don't be too quick to succumb to gobbling a whole bar of chocolate, though. For the nth time, moderation is key.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

Latest posts by Joanna Maligaya (see all)

• Whipped Cream Chocolate Frosting Recipe - December 3, 2014
• Chocolate Hazelnut Cake Recipe - November 26, 2014
• Broiled Banana Chocolate Pudding Recipe - November 19, 2014