If, like me, you woke up this morning feeling a little guilty for succumbing to chocolately temptation over the Easter weekend, here is an overview of the most recent research to show a little chocolate, in moderation of course, is actually, wait for it…good for you!
Helps your heart
A systematic review of 42 clinical trials, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at the impact of chocolate and flavan-3-ols (found in cocoa), on cardiovascular disease risk factors. The researchers found promising beneficial effects on markers of blood vessel health and reduced insulin resistance. The researchers did say that larger, longer and independently funded trials are required to confirm the potential cardiovascular benefits.
Post-workout recovery
A second study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, examined the effects of acutely consuming dark chocolate on plasma antioxidant capacity, markers of oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses before prolonged exercise. Fourteen healthy men cycled for 2.5 hours, 2 hours after consuming either 100 g dark chocolate, a control bar or neither. Although the sample size was small, the researchers recorded lower oxidative stress in those that consumed the dark chocolate compared to control, but minimal influence on immunoendocrine responses.
Betters your BMI
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at the association between more frequent chocolate consumption and lower Body Mass Index (BMI). 1018 healthy men and women were asked how many times a week they consumed chocolate, and their BMI was calculated. The researchers found chocolate consumption frequency was associated with lower BMI even after adjusting for calorie intake, saturated fat intake, and mood, but the amount of chocolate consumed was not. So in this case, a bigger Easter egg isn’t always better.
How many times do you eat chocolate per week? Do you prefer dark or milk?
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