Chocolate consumption and atherosclerosis:
A large study on chocolate consumption suggests that chocolate might help maintain healthy arteries. Researchers analyzed data from food frequency questionnaires of 2217 subjects. Healthy arteries were assessed by rate of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries (CAC) (measured by cardiac computer tomography). Using non-eaters of chocolate as a baseline, the researchers concluded that those who ate 1-3 servings per month had a 6% reduced CAC. For 1/week chocolate eaters, a 22% reduction was observed, and consuming chocolate at least 2 times per week was associated with a 32% reduced CAC. (9)