Eating a small amount of chocolate may decrease your risk of a serious type of irregular heartbeat, according to a new study.
People who ate the sweet treat several times a week were less likely to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) – a common condition linked to increased risk of stroke.
Those who consumed two to six servings per week had a 20% reduced chance compared to those who ate it less than once a month.
So far, there has only been limited research on the association between consuming chocolate and abnormal heart rhythm, which affects 335mn people worldwide.
It is the flavanols in cocoa and cocoa-containing foods which are thought to promote healthy blood vessel function.
“We observed a significant association between eating chocolate and a lower risk of atrial fibrillation – suggesting that even small amounts of cocoa consumption can have a positive health impact,” said lead study author Dr Elizabeth Mostofsky from Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health.
Atrial fibrillation – which causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate – becomes more common as you get older and affects more men than women. It can cause problems including dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness.
You may be aware of noticeable heart palpitations or sometimes it doesn’t cause any symptoms, says NHS Choices.
It is also linked with higher risk of heart failure, cognitive decline, dementia, and death, say the researchers.
Also a recent study backs up previous research that says the sugary treat actually boosts memory and helps keep our brains healthy.
The researchers say flavanols can counteract the effects of sleep deprivation and could therefore help people with insomnia.
Their study is the latest in a long line of research to confirm the memory and sleep-related benefits of chocolate.
Flavanols are natural compounds that boost brain function alongside a range of protective effects, and are found in abundance in cocoa beans.
The study, from researchers at the University of L’Aquila, Italy, found that attention, brain processing speed, working memory, and fluency of speech in the elderly can all be improved by a daily dose of flavanol.
Flavanols are thought to have anti-inflammatory, blood vessel-relaxing and anti-oxidant properties.
Unsurprisingly, the researchers recommend eating chocolate in moderation.