Dark chocolate is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants. Studies show it can help reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. Studies show that dark chocolate — when it is not loaded with sugar and saturated fat — is indeed a heart-healthy chocolate treat and more.
Chocolate is high in magnesium, which helps regulate your cardiovascular system. Antioxidants in chocolate help clear plaque out of the arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease. Flavonoids found in chocolate may lower blood pressure and improve your blood flow overall.
It may lower the risk of heart rhythm problems.
A Dutch study involving more than 55,000 people showed that just 2 to 6 ounces of cocoa per week lowered the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat by 20%. That's good because people with this heart problem have a 5 times greater risk of having a stroke.
The other thing to remember is that all chocolate - whether white, milk or dark - is high in calories because of its fat and sugar content. So if you eat too much of it you could put on weight, which obviously is not good for your heart.
It is a high-energy (high calorie) food, and too much can result in excess weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
It also helps lower risk of diabetes, heart disease
More good news for chocolate lovers: A new Harvard study finds that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension.
Some studies suggest chocolate or cocoa consumption is associated with a lower risk of insulin resistance and high blood pressure in adults.
Heart health benefits
According to the American College of Cardiology, drinking two to three cups of coffee per day is associated with maintaining a healthy heart.
Dark chocolate is best for you because it's the least processed chocolate, which means it contains the highest percentage of flavonoid-filled cocoa bean (cocoa).
Dark chocolate is by far the healthiest form of the treat, containing the least sugar and, because of its cocoa content, higher levels of substances that protect the body's cells. If sugar is your number one concern, Allers recommends looking for higher percentages.
Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.
Chocolate contains cocoa butter, which is high in saturated fat, yet one-third of chocolate's fat comes from stearic acid. Although it's a saturated fat, stearic acid does not raise LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) as do most other saturated fats.
“Chocolate doesn't increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn't decrease cholesterol levels either.” Still, cocoa — a major ingredient in chocolate — may prove to be the next frontier in health research, according to Kris-Etherton.
Similar large-scale studies have suggested that people who regularly eat moderate amounts of chocolate may have lower incidence of high blood pressure, hardened arteries and even strokes.
Theobromine: Chocolate contains this naturally occurring compound found in cacao plants. Theobromine can increase heart rate, which leads to palpitations.
Reduce or eliminate beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee or soda to avoid palpitations. Consuming large quantities of chocolate has been linked to heart palpitations. Chocolate provides the same stimulants as caffeine and can trigger abnormal heart rhythms.
The chocolates from Lindt taste incredibly high-quality, creamy, and delicious, so it's no secret the brand snagged our No. 1 spot. We love the taste, no doubt, and feel like you can never go wrong with grabbing a bag of Lindt Lindor truffles or a Lindt Excellence Chocolate bar.
White chocolate is the worst – it has more calories than milk chocolate and more sugar than dark.
The cocoa solids in Lindt dark chocolate contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and improve blood sugar levels.
Heart health
Bananas contain fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. All of these support heart health. A 2017 review found that people who follow a high fiber diet have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those on a low fiber diet.
A study shows that eating eggs can boost the number of heart-healthy metabolites in the blood, which may partially explain the protective effect of moderate egg consumption on cardiovascular disease.
Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water. When the weather is warm or we're exercising, our bodies need more water than usual. Unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.
Avocados are rich in potassium. Potassium helps level out your blood pressure by lowering sodium levels in your blood and easing tension in your blood vessel walls.
Avocados
Avocados are one of the best sources of monounsaturated fats. This type of fat can lower high blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure. A single avocado also has more than 10 grams of blood pressure-reducing fiber.