New findings suggest that chocolate just might help lower risk of stroke. Chocolate, consumed just once a week, is also linked to less chance of dying from stroke complications.
The benefits of chocolate for good health are well documented. The antioxidants and flavinoids can lower blood pressure, ease pain, and lower stress, found in a variety of studies. A new analysis from researchers at St. Michael's Hospital shows that individuals who ate chocolate just once a week seemed to have a lower incidence of having a stroke compared to individuals who do not eat chocolate.
"Though more research is needed to determine whether chocolate is the contributing factor to lowering stroke risk, it is rich in anti-oxidants and that may have a protective effect against stroke," explains Dr. Gustavo Saposnik, a neurologist at St. Michael's Hospital.
Dr. Saposnik says the analysis is ongoing as researchers try to determine a definite link between lower stroke risk and eating chocolate.
The preliminary data is interesting but we need to determine whether consumption truly lowers the risk of a stroke or whether the benefit is biased based on those who are on average healthier than the general population when enrolling in a clinical trial."
The researchers found that chocolate was linked to lower risk of stroke in an analysis of data from three studies. One of the studies revealed that consuming chocolate once a week might provide protection from stroke, and looked at 44,489 people. The chances of having a stroke was 22 percent lower compared to individuals who did not consume chocolate.
Ischemic stroke most commonly occurs when the blood vessels that supply the brain become narrow from plaque buildup, and circulation to the brain is disrupted. Just like the events that occur during a heart attack, plaque can also rupture, break away, and travel to the small blood vessels that supply the brain to cause a stroke. The same benefits of eating chocolate that might prevent stroke also extend to protecting the blood vessels from heart disease and heart attack.
A second study showed decreased risk of dying from stroke complications among individuals who consume chocolate, while a third analysis failed to show benefit. The findings are being presented at the American Academy of Neurology in April. If you eat chocolate - in moderation - you just might be lowering your chances of having a stroke.
source: examiner
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