Wine and chocolate lovers, you’re not going to like this news

So red wine and dark chocolate aren’t good for us? Don’t worry, you might not have to call it quits just yet.

A new study published by JAMA Internal Medicine states that foods rich in resveratrol, a heart-healthy compound found in dark chocolate and red wine, might not be as beneficial as we thought.

These results come from a study, published online May 12, that looked at 783 men and women, all of whom were over 65. The study aimed to determine if resveratrol, a polyphenol found in so many antioxidant-rich foods, has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. It found that participants who consume a diet rich in resveratrol are not more likely to live longer nor are they less likely to develop cancer or cardiovascular disease than those who do not consume resveratrol-rich foods. Moreover, ‘resveratrol levels reached by the Western diet did not have substantial influence on health status and mortality risk of the population of this study,’ the study’s conclusion notes state.

‘Despite the negative results, studies have shown that consumption of red wine, dark chocolate, and berries does reduce inflammation in some people and still appears to protect the heart,’ says Dr. Richard D. Semba, who led the study.

So all is not lost. If you still want to maintain a diet high in antioxidants, of which there are many, try out some of these foods; and in case you’re now in need of a little pick-me-up, eating dark chocolate (in moderation) offers plenty of other benefits.

Related:
‘ Is chocolate healthy?
‘ 3 healthy reasons to have chocolate daily
‘ A marinade that will make your meat healthier

-Jessica Harding, associate web editor