Dark chocolate reduces risk of atrial fibrillation

See this long-term study of 55,502 patients over 13.5 years. Chocolate intake reduced the incidence of atrial fibrillation (afib) 10-20%. The rates depended on chocolate consumption: 1-3 (1 oz) servings per month 10%; 1 serving per week 17%; 2-6 servings per week 20%; 1 or more serving per day 16%. For women the best dose was once per week showing a 21% reduction; for men it was 2-6 servings per week showing a 23% reduction. However it was recommended that dark chocolate was better than milk chocolate, as it contains more of the chemical elements responsible for this effect.

The study also noted that previous studies showed "that moderate consumption of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, improves markers of cardiovascular health and is associated with a lower rate of myocardial infarction, heart failure, composite cardiovascular adverse outcome and cardiovascular mortality."