Researchers at the University of Aberdeen have found that a moderate consumption of chocolate (<1 bar/day) is linked to a reduction in risk of heart disease and stroke. These findings, published in the British Medical Journal's Heart Journal, were based on data from the EPIC-Norfolk study (a large observational cohort study which has investigated the impact of diet on the long-term health of 25,000 men and women in Norfolk, UK), as well as a systematic review of other large studies that have also looked at the association between chocolate and cardiovascular disease risk. Those that ate a moderate consumption of chocolate, compared to those who ate no chocolate, had a 23% reduction in stroke risk and a 12% reduction in heart disease risk.
However, before you reach for your bar of Cadburys milk chocolate, the researchers warned that this did not prove that chocolate makes you healthier, due to the observational nature of the study. The majority of chocolate bars available in shops contain very little cocoa (the raw product from which chocolate is made and which is rich in health-boosting anti-oxidants and flavonoids), and huge amounts of refined sugars and fats (which are linked to weight-gain, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease).
Therefore if you want your chocolate fix, choose a quality dark chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa – good brands include: Green & Blacks, Booja Booja, IQ Chocolate and Montezuma. Also, for a real healthy treat try out some raw chocolate - great brands include: Ombar, Ocelot and Lovechock raw chocolate nibs. These are available at most good healthfood shops such as Real Foods and D. Atkinson Herbalist / Napiers the Herbalist, and larger supermarkets.
However, before you reach for your bar of Cadburys milk chocolate, the researchers warned that this did not prove that chocolate makes you healthier, due to the observational nature of the study. The majority of chocolate bars available in shops contain very little cocoa (the raw product from which chocolate is made and which is rich in health-boosting anti-oxidants and flavonoids), and huge amounts of refined sugars and fats (which are linked to weight-gain, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease).
Therefore if you want your chocolate fix, choose a quality dark chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa – good brands include: Green & Blacks, Booja Booja, IQ Chocolate and Montezuma. Also, for a real healthy treat try out some raw chocolate - great brands include: Ombar, Ocelot and Lovechock raw chocolate nibs. These are available at most good healthfood shops such as Real Foods and D. Atkinson Herbalist / Napiers the Herbalist, and larger supermarkets.
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