Is Bitter Better? The Benefits of Chocolate for the Cardiovascular System

Abstract

Background and Aims: Cocoa, particularly dark chocolate, is rich in flavonoids, and recent studies have demonstrated blood pressure lowering effects of dark chocolate. Because limited data are available on the association of chocolate consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), the investigators examined the association between chocolate consumption and prevalence of CHD. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 4,970 participants 25to 93years ofage were studiedintheNationalHeart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Family Heart Study. Chocolate intakewasassessedthroughasemiquantitativefoodfrequency questionnaire. The workers generalized estimating equations to assess adjusted odds ratios. Results: Compared with subjects who did not report any chocolate intake at all, the odds ratios for CHD were 1.01 (95% CI, 0.76–1.37), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.56–0.98), and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.28–0.67) in subjects consuming chocolate 1–3 times per month, 1–4 times per week, or 5+ times per week, respectively (P for trend <0.0001), adjusting for age, sex, family CHD risk group, and a large number of other confounders. Interestingly, subjects who consumed nonchocolate candy 5+ times per week had a 49% higher prevalence of CHD than those with no such consumption (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.96–2.32). Discussion: The authors suggest that consumption of chocolate is inversely related with prevalent CHD in a general United States population.