Chocolate is delicious, but is it healthy?

Chocolate

Many of us are fans of chocolate, but is it really healthy for us? A recently published research indicates that chocolate can reduce your risk of early death. CNN recently published an article discussing this. I have posted the main points in this blog post.

The reduction in risk was more significant once people reached the age of 45, suggesting that it may be even more beneficial to consume coffee as we get older.

These findings echo the recent results of another large observational study, which found that coffee drinkers appear to live longer, regardless of whether they consume regular or decaf coffee.

Some of the compounds commonly found in coffee “have been related to better insulin sensitivity, liver function and reduced chronic inflammation,” said V. Wendy Setiawan, an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and the lead author of one of the recent studies on coffee consumption and longevity.

“Current evidence suggests that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine up to 200 mg per day, the amount in a 12-ounce cup of coffee, is not associated with increased risks for miscarriage or preterm birth,” said Dr. Joseph Wax, chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Obstetric Practice. “However, data are contradictory regarding these pregnancy outcomes when women consume more than 200 mg per day of caffeine.” Additionally, “there is insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion regarding the effects of caffeine on fetal growth.”

Keep in mind that decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine. An 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee can contain anywhere from 75 to 165 milligrams of caffeine, whereas decaffeinated coffee contains an average of 2 to 7 milligrams per cup, depending on which study you read.

The author then closes with a few tips for your next coffee sip.