7 unexpected health benefits of 2011

From the depression-fighting effects of coffee to chocolate's heart-healing properties, researchers made several surprising discoveries this year

Feel free to lay into that holiday chocolate, as researchers this year found that chocolate of any kind decreases risk of heart disease and stroke.
(Image credit: Oliver Eltinger/Corbis)

1. Chocolate can protect your heart and your brain. British researchers analyzed studies involving more than 100,000 people and discovered that those who reported eating the most chocolate — whether in cookies, candy bars, or milk shakes — were 37 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases and 29 percent less likely to have a stroke than those who ate the least. Cocoa's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties may provide some heart-health benefits, and the pleasure of eating chocolate could also reduce stress. Study author Oscar Franco says it's still best to enjoy chocolate treats "in a moderate manner," since they often come loaded with sugar, fat, and calories.

2. Behaving yourself as a child brings big rewards in adulthood. Researchers tracked more than 1,000 people from toddlerhood into their early 30s and found that the more self-control they showed as kids, the healthier, wealthier, and happier they were as grown-ups. By contrast, children who struggled to complete tasks and handle frustration without lashing out at their peers were more likely to be overweight, drug dependent, and ridden with debt as adults. The study's authors say that self-control can be taught and nurtured with practice, and that no matter what a child's circumstances, "good parenting can improve self-control and improve life success."

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