New research has added to tentative evidence that eating chocolate in modest quantities may be good for the heart.Scientists in Britain looked at data from nearly 21,000 people who filled out questionnaires about their lifestyle and had their health monitored for more than 11 years. Their average daily consumption was seven grams of chocolate, ranging from none to 100g. The top fifth of chocolate-eaters were 12% less likely to develop heart disease and 23% less likely to suffer a stroke compared with the bottom fifth of consumers, the researchers found.The study, published in the British Heart Journal, noted that most consumers of the confectionery ate milk chocolate, not dark chocolate which famously has a higher percentage of protective molecules called flavonoids.The team, headed by Phyo Myint of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, admitted the probe had limitations. The study was observational, meaning it could not show cause and effect, merely an association which may be circumstantial. Another question mark was to be found in “reverse causation”: participants who knew they had cardiovascular problems may have followed a healthier diet and eaten less chocolate. The team also did a review of other published studies, covering more than 130,000 people in total, and said they had found a similarly beneficial association with regular chocolate consumption.Commentators not involved in the research were cautious, noting too much chocolate could lead to weight gain, which is bad for the heart.
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