by Jacki Hart, MD
Q: I heard a report recently on the radio about chocolate being good for the heart. Is this true?
A: Chocolate has long been considered a symbol of love, thereby associating this sweet delicacy with the heart. The question of whether chocolate may actually be of value for the hearts physical health often comes up in medical research.
The radio report you heard may have been about an article published in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) or a recent presentation at the British Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Scotland.
The AJCN article highlights an association between substances called catechins and a significantly reduced risk of heart disease. Catechins are found in chocolate, tea, and apples. They are a type of bioflavonoids, which are plant-based compounds that act as antioxidants to help protect us from long-term illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. The study described was part of an ongoing population-based study in The Netherlands. Researchers asked 800 healthy men aged 65 to 84 about their eating habits, and tracked them over ten years to see who developed heart disease. Those with the most catechins in their diet
Q: I heard a report recently on the radio about chocolate being good for the heart. Is this true?
A: Chocolate has long been considered a symbol of love, thereby associating this sweet delicacy with the heart. The question of whether chocolate may actually be of value for the hearts physical health often comes up in medical research.
The radio report you heard may have been about an article published in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) or a recent presentation at the British Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Scotland.
The AJCN article highlights an association between substances called catechins and a significantly reduced risk of heart disease. Catechins are found in chocolate, tea, and apples. They are a type of bioflavonoids, which are plant-based compounds that act as antioxidants to help protect us from long-term illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. The study described was part of an ongoing population-based study in The Netherlands. Researchers asked 800 healthy men aged 65 to 84 about their eating habits, and tracked them over ten years to see who developed heart disease. Those with the most catechins in their diet