Is cocoa good for you?

New study reveals the many health benefits linked to chocolate

(FOX News) – Chocolate does have its health benefits, but the evidence on eating it daily for health reasons isn’t clear.

Researchers reviewed data from 19 controlled trials involving more than 1,100 people about eating cocoa flavanols — a component of the cocoa in chocolate. Those who ate the foods containing cocoa flavanols compared to those who ate a placebo had lower levels of triglyceriedes which could potentially boost cardiovascular health.

This work also suggests those bodies do a better job at controlling inflammation and blood sugar. In addition, “good” cholesterol levels rose slightly in the group eating the flavanol-rich foods.

Study authors say the differences were only small-to-modest, but they were statistically significant.The team said more research is needed before recommendations about how much chocolate and what type provides the best benefits.

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, Mars Candy, The American Heart Association and drug maker, Pfizer. Findings appear in “The Journal of Nutrition.”