Previous studies have shown that chocolate can reduce blood presure, a strong risk factor for heart failure. Harvard reserachers carried out a large prospective cohort study, including more than 39,000 Swedish women, investigating if chocolate intake is linked to the risk of heart failure.
The data were obtained from a questionnaire on health and lifestyle including details about diet and chocolate intake. After 9 years follow up, the researchers found that women who ate 1 - 2 servings a week or 1 -3 servings a month had lower risk of hear failure than those who ate 3 or more servings a week. They suggest that flavenoids in chocolate may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factor.
Critics said that the study relied on participants self-reporting of their chocolate intake, it is also unclear how much chocolate was consumed in one "serving". Although this was a large study, it is felt that the evidence was not strong enough to tell if chocolate reduces the risk of heart failure. Furthermore, flavenoids in chocolate can be found in fruit and vegetables.
Source: Mostofsky E, Levitan EB, Wolk A, et al. Chocolate Intake and Incidence of Heart Failure: A Population-Based, Prospective Study of Middle-Aged and Elderly Women. Circulation: Heart failure 2010; Published online before print August 16 ( f/t via Athens)
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