Is chocolate heart-healthy?
Ask the doctor
Q.I keep hearing that chocolate is good for heart health. Is it too good to be true?A recent study, conducted by research teams at Harvard and in Denmark, indicates that chocolate also protects against another heart condition, atrial fibrillation (AF). AF affects between three million and six million people in the United States and raises a person's risk of heart failure, stroke, dementia, and death. The study involved over 55,000 men and women whose health was monitored for 13 years. Compared to those who ate chocolate less than once per month, those who had two to six servings of chocolate per week had a 20% lower rate of AF. However, the apparent protective effect of chocolate on AF seemed to wane in people who ate more than this.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
