A Woman’s Heart, Eating Chocolate May Reduce Risk of Cardiac Death After Heart Attack

By Mary Kyle Blogger

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At last! Science has finally begun to validate my long-held personal belief in the beneficial power of chocolate! We know that chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, is beneficial to our heart health.

Chocolate is loaded with flavonoids which have powerful antioxidant properties known to be beneficial to our heart health and protect and repair against environmental toxins and damage caused by free radicals. What we are just now learning is that chocolate may also be beneficial to your heart health after a heart attack as well.

A joint US-Swedish study recently released results from an eight (8) year program indicating that consumption of chocolate may be beneficial in reducing your risk of dying of heart disease even if you have already suffered a heart attack. This was the first study to specifically track the effects of chocolate on heart health after a heart attack. During the course of the study, the researchers followed 1169 men and women after they suffered their first heart attack. All participants were non-diabetic. The researches controlled for variables such as age, sex, obesity, physical activity/inactivity, smoking, education, etc. After considering the impact of the various variables, the researchers found that the participants who consumed greater amounts of chocolate had a greater survival rate than those consuming lesser amounts of chocolate. Yes, you heard me right. The relationship was directly proportional to the amount of chocolate the participants consumed. The more chocolate consumed, the better the survival rate!

The researchers reported the following regarding reduction of risk of cardiac death as it related to the consumption of chocolate:

• Chocolate consumed less than once a month: 27% reduction
• Chocolate consumed once a week: 44% reduction
• Chocolate consumed 2 or more times a week: 66% reduction

I don’t care how you look at it, a 66% reduction in risk of cardiac death is significant! I like it!

Before stocking up on a year’s supply of chocolate, the study did come with a few “buyer-bewares.”

• The study was observational and not a randomized trial so cause and effect cannot be “proven.”
• Researchers did not control for other variables, such as mental health, which might account for the reduction in the risk of death.
• Researchers did not control for the type of chocolate consumed and no distinction was made between the consumption of dark versus milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is known to possess more flavonoids than milk chocolate and is more beneficial heart health.
• The overall risk of a non-fatal cardiac event was not reduced.

Personally, I like the results. A 66% reduction in the risk of cardiac death after a heart attack sounds great to me even with the “holes” in the study. Of course, I’m bringing my own personal prejudices into this since I’m a confirmed chocoholic! I’m hoping that this study will not be the last and that the next one will prove the relationship! What a sweet way to protect your heart! I have to go eat chocolate now.

Until next time, here’s wishing you a healthy heart.

(Disclaimer: I am not a physician and nothing in this article should be construed as giving medical advice. As with any medical decision, please consult your physician.)

Sources:
Bakalar, Nicoholas, Chocolate tied to health after heart attack, The New York Times, 15 Sept 2009, stltoday.com, www.stltoday.com/stltoday/emaf.nsf/popup?readform$db=stlt

Daniells, Stephen, Chocolate again linked to better heart health, 17 Aug 2009, NutraIngredients.com, http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Chocolate-again-linked-to-better-heart-health

Janszky, I, Mukamal, KJ, Ljung, R, Ahnve, S, Ahibom, A, Hallqvist, J, Chocolate consumption and mortality following a first acute myocardial infarction: The Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program, 25 Mar 2009, The Journal of Internal Medicine, Vol 266, Issue 3, P 248-257, http://www3. interscience.wiley.com/journal/122276494/abstract?CRE

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Anonymous

Chocolate good for your heart, I am sold and have been for a long time. I have seen the right type of chocolate improve heart health in a huge way. Check out the healthy chocolate the is delicious and make in huge impact on health at www.healthywealthyxocai.com

October 5, 2009 - 1:03pm

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