Chocolate ‘reduces risk of heart disease’

Those struggling to cut chocolate out of their diets now have a very valid excuse to carry on eating the sweet treat – it reduces blood pressure and risk of heart disease, a recent study has shown.

Researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition assessed the chocolate intake of 19,357 patients and, after eight years, the blood pressure of the same participants.

The subjects were also asked if they experienced a stroke in this time.

Those who ate chocolate generally had lower blood pressures and, therefore, a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Commenting on the findings, Victoria Taylor, senior heart health dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said people should exercise caution, as the amount consumed by people in the study was about one square of chocolate a day or half a small chocolate Easter egg in a week.

“Whilst chocolate, in moderation, can form part of a heart healthy diet, it is important to remember to include a variety of other foods including fruit and vegetables and oily fish,” said Ms Taylor.

She went on to say that getting out and being active for at least 30 minutes a day also helps to ensure a healthy life.

How much chocolate do you eat each week?