Easter eggs- good for you?

[Gail]

From the BBC:

Quote:

Easter eggs 'may be healthy'

Easter eggs and other chocolate can be good for you, as long as you eat only small amounts, latest research suggests.

The study of over 19,000 people, published in the European Heart Journal, found those who ate half a bar a week had lower blood pressure.

They also had a 39% lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Heart campaigners warned that too much chocolate is damaging because it has a lot of calories and saturated fat.

The study looked at the chocolate consumption of middle-aged men and women over eight years.

It compared the health of those who ate the most and least chocolate.

“ Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food ”

Dr Brian Buijsse, study author

The difference between these two groups was just 6 grams a day, equivalent to one small square of chocolate a day.

The lead author, Dr Brian Buijsse, from the German Institute of Human Nutrition, Nuthetal said: "Our hypothesis was that because chocolate appears to have a pronounced effect on blood pressure, therefore chocolate consumption would lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks, with a stronger effect being seen for stroke."

This is, in fact, what the study found. Those who ate more chocolate cut their risk of heart attacks by around a quarter, and of stroke by nearly half, compared with those who ate the least.

Chocolate lovers dream

But Dr Buijsse warned that it was important people ensured that eating chocolate did not increase their overall intake of calories or reduce their consumption of healthy foods.

"Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food, such as snacks, in order to keep body weight stable," he said.

The researchers believe that flavanols in cocoa may be the reason why chocolate seems to be good for people's blood pressure and heart health.

And since there is more cocoa in dark chocolate, dark chocolate may have a greater effect.

Heart campaigners warned that chocolate is still bad for you if you eat too much.

Victoria Taylor, Senior Heart Health Dietician, at the British Heart Foundation said: "This sounds like a dream for chocolate lovers and just in time for Easter too, but it's important to read the small print with this study.

"The amounts consumed on average by even the highest consumers was about one square of chocolate a day or half a small chocolate Easter egg in a week, so the benefits were associated with a fairly small amount of chocolate.

"Some people will be tempted to eat more than one square, however, chocolate has high amounts of calories and saturated fat which are linked to weight gain and raised cholesterol levels. Two of the key risk factors for heart disease."

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/8593887.stm

Published: 2010/03/30 11:58:43 GMT

© BBC MMX

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[karl]

From the BBC:

Quote:

Easter eggs 'may be healthy'

Easter eggs and other chocolate can be good for you, as long as you eat only small amounts, latest research suggests.

Carrots, peaches and apples are better for you, and you can have larger amounts.

[phkrause]

That's an interesting article Gail, but there has to be more cons than pros to what there saying.

pk

[GreatLakesGramma]

Chocolate isn't good for me. I'm allergic. I'll stick with my raw fruits and veggies.

[Liz]

O.k. I will eat everyone's chocolate that they don't want...no need to thank me...I do it out of love... for chocolate.

[karl]

O.k. I will eat everyone's chocolate that they don't want...no need to thank me...I do it out of love... for chocolate.

Let's start a fight about light versus dark chocolate and how this can impact (constipate) the National Health Service.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Originally Posted By: Liz

O.k. I will eat everyone's chocolate that they don't want...no need to thank me...I do it out of love... for chocolate.

Let's start a fight about light versus dark chocolate and how this can impact (constipate) the National Health Service.

Does that mean Liz is going to be impacted first?

[karl]

Originally Posted By: karl

Let's start a fight about light versus dark chocolate and how this can impact (constipate) the National Health Service.

Does that mean Liz is going to be impacted first?

Most, maybe.

I wonder how Nan and Bravus feel about picking up the tab for people impacted by the self-infliction of chocolate consumption.

[TWNolan]

oh boy

[Liz]

Chocolate has never had that effect on me. So...no need to worry about how light or dark chocolate will impact health care...as far as I'm concerned. Now if it has that effect on you.........

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

If you eat too much chocolate, I guarantee you will be impacted. LOL Ex-Lax, anyone?

[Liz]

Well, there ya go, I guess I have never eaten too much chocolate!!