Chocolate 3-6 servings per week appears to reduce the risk of hospitalisation or dying from heart failure but more than this and the risk increases

In January 2017 researchers from the USA and Sweden published the results of their study to assess the association between chocolate consumption and heart failure.  31,917 men aged 45-79 years, with no history of heart attack, diabetes, or heart failure were included in the study. Information on chocolate consumption was collected via a self-administrated food frequency questionnaire. During a 14-year follow up period 1,901 men were hospitalized and 256 died from heart failure. Results showed that there was a reducing risk of hospitalization or dying from heart failure up to 3-6 servings per week of chocolate, but the protective effect of chocolate was not observed among individuals consuming 1 serving or more per day.

Steinhaus DA et al. Chocolate intake and incidence of heart failure: Findings from the Cohort of Swedish Men. Am Heart J. 2017 Jan;183:18-23

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