Eating chocolate every day prevents arrhythmia in the heart, says study

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There is no lack of scientific articles that show the advantages of eating small daily portions of dark chocolate. Rich in antioxidants, this version of the candy helps the brain work better, relieves stress and protects the heart – including against atrial fibrillation, a serious type of cardiac arrhythmia.

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This is what a new study by the School of Public Health at Harvard University, in the United States, points out, published last Tuesday (23), in the journal heart. The survey is impressive: they recruited 55,502 Danish men and women, who were followed up over 13 years. The scientists analyzed the health conditions of the volunteers and investigated aspects such as blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating habits and lifestyle.

During the time the survey was conducted, there were 3,346 cases of atrial fibrillation. When relating these episodes to the consumption of chocolate, the experts noted that participants who ate between one and three servings of chocolate per month had a 10% lower risk of having chest pain compared to those who ate the candy less than once. in the month. The probability dropped even more (17%) in those who ate one portion per week. Already men and women who included one to six servings on the menu from Sunday to Sunday were 20% less likely to develop the condition. Devouring a few squares every day was also advantageous: it lowered the tendency to get into trouble by 16%.

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To take advantage of all this, it is best to bet on dark chocolate, which has a higher cocoa content and, therefore, more flavonols. These compounds have antioxidant properties and would be responsible for improving vein function, alleviating arrhythmia.

The authors consider that it is necessary to further investigate this relationship, since few studies have focused on the subject. But this research is yet another indication that eating chocolate is not harmful to anyone – on the contrary! “Excessive amounts are bad because most products are high in calories and full of sugar and fat, which can lead to weight gain and other metabolic problems. However, moderate intake of versions with a high cocoa content can be healthy”, evaluates Elizabeth Mostoksy, leader of the investigation. Is there one?