Having three or more servings of chocolate each week reduces risk of heart attack, according to a recent study of more than 67,000 Swedish adults.
Published in the British medical journal Heart, this study looked at the association between chocolate consumption and heart attack. In recent years, many studies have linked moderate chocolate consumption to improved heart health, likely thanks to its flavanols, antioxidants, and “good” fats that promote better health. However, few studies have specifically looked at the impact of chocolate consumption on heart attack—a leading cause of death in the United States.
To learn more, researchers analyzed data from the Cohort of Swedish Men and the Swedish Mammography Cohort, which followed more than 67,600 men and women from 1998–2010. All participants were free of heart disease at the start of the study and completed a questionnaire on health, lifestyle and diet upon enrollment. Researchers then followed participants for up to 12 years, tracking heart attacks and other health outcomes.
Overall, there were a total of 4,417 heart attacks recorded during the study period. After analysis, researchers found that adults consuming the highest amount of chocolate (3 or more servings per week) had 13% lower risk of heart attack than those that consumed no chocolate.
Additionally, when authors combined their data with that of other studies, they also reported similar findings. Combined with five past studies, researchers analyzed a total of 6,851 heart attack cases among nearly 145,000 adults from Germany, the UK, the USA, Australia and Sweden. Overall, researchers found that consuming at least 3 servings of chocolate a week was associated with a 10% lower risk of heart attack and heart disease compared with no chocolate consumption.
Based on findings, reduced risk of heart attack should be added to the list of potential health benefits from regular chocolate consumption. However, it’s important to note that moderation is key when it comes to chocolate. In this study, the highest level of chocolate consumption was around 3 servings per week—the equivalent of 1–2 chocolate bars. Also, although types of chocolate were not considered in this study, certain types of chocolate are healthier than others. In general, dark chocolate and other less-processed chocolates will contain the highest level of flavanols and the most beneficial nutrients.