Description: (Higher levels of chocolate intake "seem to be associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of cardiometabolic disorders," a BMJ meta-analysis reports. Researchers examined seven observational studies, encompassing nearly 115,000 adult participants, that measured chocolate intake and cardiometabolic outcomes. Compared with the lowest level of chocolate consumption, the highest intake was associated with a roughly one third decrease in the risk for any cardiovascular disease or stroke. There was no benefit, however, with regard to heart failure. The authors offer several cautions with their findings, including the fact that high levels of fat and sugar are found in most commercial preparations of chocolate. They also note that the present evidence only points to an association between chocolate and heart health. SOURCE: JOURNAL WATCH (http://www.jwatch.org/))