Benefits of Chocolate

August 29, 2011, 7:00 pm

Tallying the Benefits of Chocolate

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Chocaholics may have more reason to indulge in a chocolate truffle or two today. New research from scientists at the University of Cambridge suggests that the heart-healthy benefits chalked up to regularly indulging in chocolate treats may not be all hype. The research involved more than 100,000 subjects and included data from a half dozen studies.

By many measures, consumption of chocolate was linked to lower rates of stroke, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. But there was no beneficial effect on the risk for heart failure or diabetes.

The report did mention some caveats, but it provides another boost to the increasingly popular view that chocolate — especially the dark variety — can be beneficial in moderation. Read the full report, “Evidence of Heart Benefits From Chocolate,” and then please join the discussion below.