Can chocolate protect men from stroke?

Eating chocolate may have a protective effect against stroke for men, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden found that eating a moderate amount of the confectionary each week could lower stroke risk in males.

Dr Susanna C Larsson, study author, explained how "the beneficial effect of chocolate consumption on stroke may be related to the flavonoids", which have an antioxidant, anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties.

"It's also possible that flavonoids in chocolate may decrease blood concentrations of bad cholesterol and reduce blood pressure," she added.

The discovery was made when 37,103 Swedish men between the ages of 49 and 75 were given a food questionnaire relating to how often they consumed different foods and drinks.
Answers were then compared against stroke cases in a hospital discharge registry over ten years. It was observed that those who had approximately 63 grams of chocolate each week had a lower risk of stroke.

This adds to the growing body of research that suggests chocolate has numerous health-promoting properties. However, to avoid obesity it must be eaten in moderation.

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