In December 2019 researchers from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan published the results of their study to assess the relationship between chocolate consumption frequency and heart rate variability. A total of 98 young females, aged 19-21 years, were included in the study. Information on chocolate eating habits was collected via a questionnaire and heart rate variability assessed. Three chocolate eating patterns were identified. Forty-two of the individuals had “No regular chocolate consumption, 20 had 2-4 servings/week whereas 36 had 5 or more servings/week. Results showed that there were no significant differences between the three groups in heart rate variability. In addition, no significant differences were identified in blood pressure levels or pulse rate.
Latif R, Majeed F. Association between chocolate consumption frequency and heart rate variability indices. Explore (NY). 2019 Dec 28. [Epub ahead of print]