Chocolate Heart Attack Prevention

Seems like every few weeks, scientists come up with yet another way tp stave off heart attacks. I suffered a serious heart event last year – so I’ve been on the lookout for ways to stave off another. A single glass of red wine a day has proven to be a deterrent to heart attacks, as has low daily doses of the miracle drug Aspirin. Filled up the wine cellar with Cabernets and Merlots…check! Got a discount pack of baby Aspirin from the local discount store and pop one every morning…check!

Move over red wine and Aspirin – it’s time to add dark chocolate to the list!

Daily ‘Dose’ of Dark Chocolate Might Shield the Heart

There’s more sweet news about chocolate and your health: A new study suggests that eating a bit of dark chocolate each day may cut the odds of heart attack and stroke in high-risk people.

Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, antioxidant substances known to have heart protective effects. Until now, the potential benefits of dark chocolate on heart health have only been examined in short-term studies.

In the new study, Australian researchers used a mathematical model to predict the long-term health effects of daily consumption of dark chocolate among more than 2,000 people who had high blood pressure and what’s known as the “metabolic syndrome” — a group of conditions that increase a person’s risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Daily consumption was set at 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate.

None of the participants had a history of heart disease or diabetes and none were receiving treatment to lower their blood pressure.

The researchers determined that 100 percent compliance with eating dark chocolate every day could potentially prevent 70 non-fatal and 15 fatal cardiovascular events per 10,000 people over 10 years, while 80 percent compliance could prevent 55 non-fatal and 10 fatal cardiovascular events.

Wait a minute! On a recent wine tasting date I sampled  a delectable vintage called Chocovine – which is made from French Cabernet and dark Dutch chocolate! This stuff is actually – at least to my taste buds – much better than Baileys!

Hmmm… Looks like I can combine my benefits here! Just have to find space for another case in the closet…