Elderly men who consumed the most cocoa were 50% less likely to die from CVD over 15 years

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Saturday, May 12, 2018 10:28 am Email this article

The one-third of elderly men, 65- to 84-years-old, who consumed the most cocoa were 50% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD, heart attack or stroke) over the next 15 years compared to the one-third of men who consumed the least cocoa according to The Zutphen Elderly Study.

The one-third of men who consumed the most cocoa consumed an average of 4.2 grams per day which is the amount found in 10 grams of dark chocolate (0.35 ounces of dark chocolate).

 

How does cocoa protect against cardiovascular disease?

Cocoa inhibits platelet function, LDL oxidation

Possible ways that cocoa might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease include inhibiting platelet functioning, reducing LDL oxidation, reducing fasting insulin levels and reducing fasting blood sugar levels according to the authors of the paper.

Subjects

Subjects: 470 men

The study involved 470 men who were free from cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or cancer at baseline.

Men taking blood pressure drugs were also excluded.

Reference

Buijsse B, Feskens EJ, Kok FJ, and Kromhout D. Cocoa intake, blood pressure, and cardiovascular mortality: the Zutphen Elderly Study. Arch Intern Med, 2006 Feb 27; 166(4): 411-417.

Author’s Contact Info

Brian Buijsse, MSc
Center for Nutrition and Health
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
PO Box 1
3720 BA Bilthoven, Netherlands
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