Christmas Treats and Heart Health

With the approach of Christmas, people increasingly think about whether the treats they are likely to consume will be good or bad for their hearts. This is one of the most frequent questions posed to heart specialists. Retiring editor and Cardiologist, Professor Thomas Luscher, has helped review more than 3000 papers, looking at whether chocolate, coffee and wine influence cardiovascular health (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/19/good-or-bad-top-cardiologist-gives-verdict-chocolate-coffee-wine). Luscher maintains that the answer for any of these 'treats', is more complex than a simple 'yes' or 'no'. He seems most enthusiastic about chocolate. Luscher says that the flavanols in dark, bitter chocolate boost heart function and reduce inflammation. Adding, however, sugar and/or fat to the chocolate can more than counter these benefits. White chocolate, Luscher notes, is clearly bad for the heart. Luscher thinks that the boosting effects of coffee (up to 4 cups a day), probably protects heart function. Regular consumption of coffee, however, reduces its impact. In spite of regular media claims that modest consumption of red wine benefits the heart, Luscher thinks this tipple has, at best, a neutral impact. One clearly has to be very careful not to be 'taken in' by 'data' from studies funded by chocolate, coffee and wine producers.