(13-10-12) A daily dose of chocolate is shown to help prevent stroke in men

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) A wealth of scientific evidence continues to demonstrate the
powerful health benefits of consuming a wide variety of polyphenols from
natural foods. In past studies, resveratrol, curcumin and grape seed extract
have been shown to help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and
dementia as these amazing compounds alter genetic expression to improve
cellular metabolism and improve critical biomarkers.

Swedish researchers have published the result of a study conducted at the
Karolinska Institute in the medical journal of the American Academy of
Neurology that shows eating a moderate amount of chocolate each week may be
associated with a lower risk of stroke in men. Lead study author Dr. Susanna
Larsson commented "While other studies have looked at how chocolate may help
cardiovascular health, this is the first of its kind study to find that
chocolate, may be beneficial for reducing stroke in men."

To conduct the study, 37,103 Swedish men aged between 49 and 75 years were
given a food questionnaire to determine how often they consumed various foods
and drinks. Additionally, the cohort was asked how often they ate chocolate.
Researchers then identified the total number of stroke cases recorded through
the decade-long study time frame. Over 10 years, there were 1,995 cases of
first stroke.

Antioxidants from chocolate improve endothelial artery function to reduce
stroke risk
Researchers found that the men consuming the highest amount of chocolate
(approximately one-third of a cup of chocolate chips each day) had a 17 percent
lower risk of stroke, or 12 fewer strokes per 100,000 person-years compared to
those who ate no chocolate. In a related study of 4,260 stroke cases, the risk
of stroke was 19 percent lower for those individuals eating the highest number
of grams (50 grams or one-quarter cup) of chocolate per day. This study found
that stroke risk declined 14 percent for every additional 50 grams of chocolate
consumed.

Dr. Larsson concluded "The beneficial effect of chocolate consumption on
stroke may be related to the flavonoids in chocolate. Flavonoids appear to be
protective against cardiovascular disease through antioxidant, anti-clotting
and anti-inflammatory properties. It's also possible that flavonoids in
chocolate may decrease blood concentrations of bad cholesterol and reduce blood
pressure."

Many prior studies involving chocolate and cocoa consumption determined that
dark chocolate sources were most beneficial. This study found that the type of
chocolate consumed (90 percent milk chocolate in Sweden) was not a factor and
conferred the same results regardless of cocoa content. Nutrition experts still
recommend consuming dark chocolate with an 85 percent coca content to avoid
excess dietary sugar and significantly lower risk of stroke and cardiovascular
disease.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.neurology.org
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120829171933.htm
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Strokes/34472
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249650.php

News

---

In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.