I can’t say the same for egg nog, fruit cake, sugar plums or figgy pudding, but if you indulge a bit this holiday season on dark chocolate, take heart.
Consuming a modest amount of dark chocolate – about one small square of it two or three times a week – is actually good for you, new research indicates.
Scientists had already determined that moderate amounts of dark chocolate have a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
But a new Italian study of thousands of men and women found that it also appears to markedly reduce levels of C-reactive protein – a measure of inflammation in the body that has been tied to heart disease.
“It is enough to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease for one third in women and one fourth in men,” said lead researcher Dr. Romina di Giuseppe in a written statement. “It is undoubtedly a remarkable outcome.”
Eating just a little bit of the bittersweet chocolate significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, researchers found.
It should be noted that the study – which has been billed as the first to link chocolate to this type of heart-health benefit – does not give those with a sweet tooth carte blanche to load up on the rich treat. Those who ate the largest amounts of dark chocolate had the worst levels of C-reactive protein. Those who consumed small amounts every three days fared the best.
The type of chocolate you eat is also important. Although the Italian study solely focused on dark chocolate, earlier research has suggested that the milk in milk chocolate interferes with the absorption of polyphenol antioxidants, compounds that are beneficial for staving off heart disease.
Cleveland Clinic experts also point out that while plain chocolate isn’t as bad for the waistline as many people think, “chewy caramel-marshmallow-nut-covered dark chocolate is by no means a heart-healthy food option. What wreaks havoc on most chocolate products are the fat and calories that accompany other ingredients.”
The researchers believe that rather than discouraging the consumption of dark chocolate, health and nutrition experts may enthusiastically recommend it one day. Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States. About 900,000 Americans suffer a heart attack every year, and many of us carry some genetic risk that predisposes us to having one. Which means that many of us might consider turning to dark chocolate instead of a less healthy alternative when we have a sweet craving. Just remember that it still has calories and that while small amounts are good, larger amounts are not better!