Eating chocolate reduce heart disease risk

ISLAMABAD: Eating up to 100 g of milk chocolate or dark chocolate every day is tied to lowered heart disease and stroke risk, a new study has claimed.

Researchers found that compared with those who ate no chocolate, higher intake was linked to an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 25% lower risk of associated death, Medical Xpress reported.

The findings are based on almost 21,000 adults taking part in the EPIC-Norfolk study, which is tracking the impact of diet on the long term health of 25,000 men and women in Norfolk, England, using food frequency and lifestyle questionnaires.

Higher levels of chocolate consumption were associated with younger age and lower BMI, waist to hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, inflammatory proteins, diabetes and more regular physical activity, all of which add up to a favourable cardiovascular disease risk profile.

Eating chocolate was also associated with a 9% lower risk of hospital admission or death as a result of coronary heart disease. (APP)