# Healthy chocolate **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517 "2011-08-29T17:31:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/1 "2011-08-29T17:31:46Z")
It’s been discussed here before, but apparently there’s a [new study](http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-chocolate-heart-20110829,0,4069112.story?track=rss). > [@](#): > > Researchers from the United Kingdom and Colombia focused on seven studies looking at the link between eating chocolate and a reduction in heart disease that included 114,009 people. > > Of those seven, five showed an association between higher levels of chocolate consumption and a lowered risk of cardiometabolic illness. The highest levels were linked with a 37% drop in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke, compared to the lowest levels. There was no significant association seen between chocolate consumption and heart failure, and only one study drew a link between eating chocolate and a lowered risk of diabetes. None of the studies, including the meta-analysis, were funded by a chocolate company or a related industry. I buy the Pound Plus Belgian 72% dark chocolate from Trader Joe’s. I get out the mallet and the cleaver, and break it up into individual squares. I reckon one square equals one serving. Now if only I can remember to have a ‘chocolate ration’ every day. I saw the zip-top bag of squares this morning and thought, ‘Oh, yeah. I should have some of that.’ And then passed it by and had some dried fruit instead. The bag-o-choco has been sitting there for at least a month. ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/2 "2011-08-29T17:47:25Z")
Oh, chocolate. _Is there anything it can’t do?_ ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/3 "2011-08-29T17:55:55Z")
This evidence dovetails nicely with my personal worldview. If the science says chocolate will make me healthier, then I don’t see as I have any choice but to start eating some daily. Woo-Hoo! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/4 "2011-08-29T17:56:16Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Now if only I can remember to have a ‘chocolate ration’ every day. I saw the zip-top bag of squares this morning and thought, ‘Oh, yeah. I should have some of that.’ And then passed it by and had some dried fruit instead. The bag-o-choco has been sitting there for at least a month. This is really not a problem I can relate too. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/5 "2011-08-29T21:08:13Z")
I’m a huge fan of [cocoa nibs](http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2010/06/what-to-do-with-cocoa-nibs-recipes-chocolate.html). I eat 'em as a snack and mixed into yogurt with granola for lunch. They can be hard to find, but a smallish bag goes a long way. The next time I make chili I’m going to try to use cocoa nibs instead of cocoa powder. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/6 "2011-08-29T21:37:53Z")
If nothing else, chocolate certainly reduces stress, and everyone knows that reducing stress is good for you. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/7 "2011-08-29T21:43:33Z")
I make it a point to maintain an even strain. Chocolate would just be icing on the cake. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-chocolate/594517/8 "2011-08-30T00:31:38Z")
I buy the Lindt 70% chocolate bars, they have several flavors besides the plain. I will often have a breakfast of iced coffee, a banana and a square of 70% chocolate to start the day with a perky note.