Are chocolate, coffee and wine good or bad for the heart? This question was answered by the world’s leading cardiologist Professor Thomas Luscher, who assessed the effects of some of our favorite treats on cardiovascular health.
When it comes to heart health, according to one of the world’s leading cardiologists, dark chocolate is “joy,” coffee is likely to protect heart health, and wine is “neutral” at best.
According to an exclusive material from The Guardian, Professor Thomas Luscher, as editor of the European Heart Journal for more than ten years, led a team that reviewed 3,200 manuscripts of articles by scientists and doctors annually. Only a small fraction are selected for publication – those that are considered “really new” and backed up by “reliable data.”
After stepping down as head of the world’s leading journal of cardiovascular medicine, Luscher delivered his verdict on one of the most frequently asked questions in heart health research: is wine, chocolate and coffee good or bad for us?
In an article for the European Heart Journal, Luscher, consultant cardiologist and director of research, education and development at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, says the answer is “more complex than just yes or no.”
Professor Luscher also warns that the evidence should be taken “seriously” given the large number of people around the world who regularly enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or a piece of chocolate. He suggests that each of these foods has pros and cons, and they can differ depending on how often and how much of each one is consumed.
“Are wine, chocolate, coffee forbidden joys? Well, wine is indeed a joy, but neutral at best when consumed in moderation. Chocolate is a joy for our cardiovascular system when consumed dark and bitter. And coffee? It wakes us up, to a lesser extent if we drink it regularly, and at this dose up to four cups a day can even protect. “
Speaking to the Guardian about his article, Luscher, who himself has published over 500 scientific papers, over 200 reviews and chapters in cardiovascular medicine books, said that despite a keen interest in the health benefits or drawbacks of coffee, wine, and chocolate, , much is not yet known.
“The optimal dose of chocolate, that is, dark bitter chocolate, is unknown because it has not been properly researched,” says the professor. The most beneficial ingredient in chocolate is flavanols, which can improve heart function and reduce inflammation, he says. But he added: “It is important that the chocolate is low in sugar and fat, which are clearly unhealthy. In particular, white chocolate is completely unhealthy. “
Thomas Luscher warned that while chocolate was considered a “rare joy” many years ago, its easy availability today has fueled the “obesity epidemic.” He added: “I don’t eat chocolate myself, but I get it from patients quite often.”
Lushera, according to The Guardian, drinks several espressos a day, and while he does love “good red wine,” he recently cut back on his consumption and now mostly enjoys one or two glasses on weekends.
Professor Tim Chico, professor of cardiovascular medicine and honorary consultant cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, agrees with Luscher “that the evidence suggests that coffee and chocolate are associated with slightly lower risk of heart disease, while alcohol is not.”
Professor Paul Leeson, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford, said: “When I see patients in a cardiac clinic, they often think that wine, chocolate and coffee are bad for them. When you tell them it might not be so, relief comes. This article by a respected European senior cardiologist presents a very balanced, fact-based assessment of the relationship between these three elements of life and heart disease. ”
Tracy Parker, Senior Nutritionist at the British Heart Foundation, comments: “A healthy lifestyle is more important to keeping your heart healthy than how much coffee, chocolate or alcohol you consume. This means regular exercise, smoking cessation, and proper nutrition. When it comes to our diet, the balance of your entire diet has the greatest impact. Try to eat more wholesome foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and less foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fats such as cakes, cookies and sweets. “
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