By now, many of us know the health benefits of dark chocolate, but what if I told you that milk chocolate can be just as good for you? According to a recent study conducted by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and published in the journal Heart, people who consumed 100 grams of chocolate a day had a lower risk of heart disease and strokes. But wait, that’s not all!
The researchers at the university closely examined the data of 21,000 adults in Norfolk, England for a period of 12 years. In addition to reducing their risk of heart disease by 11 percent and stroke by 23 percent, they found that the participants had lower blood pressure and BMIs. Not bad, huh?
Now, you’re probably thinking, “I’ve always heard that dark chocolate was healthier than milk chocolate.” Turns out, the people who participated in the study ate more milk chocolate than dark chocolate and you’d be happy to know that the health benefits were still very much present.Phyo Myint, a professor at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, had the following to say regarding the study’s findings:
“Our study concludes that cumulative evidence suggests higher chocolate intake is associated with a lower risk of future cardiovascular events. This may indicate that not only flavonoids, but also other compounds, possibly related to milk constituents, such as calcium and fatty acids, may provide an explanation for the observed association. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of moderate consumption of chocolate increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, conclude the researchers.”
It looks like chocolate lovers everywhere can finally rejoice! But remember, moderation is the key to healthy living.
