If an apple a day keeps the doctor

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, well, what about chocolate? Accordingto a new study, eating a small piece of chocolate, preferably dark chocolate everyday could decrease your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Researchers inGermany followed close to 20,000 people aged 35 to65 for at least 10 years andfound that those who ate an average of 7.5 grams a day, about one square of achocolate bar, had lower blood pressure and decreased the risk of either a heartattack or a stroke by nearly 40%. Experts think that flavanols in cocoa may bethe reason why chocolate seems to be good for us. Flavanols, also found in somevegetables and red wine, help the muscle cells in blood vessels to relax and widen.Since there is more cocoa in dark chocolate, dark chocolate may have a greatereffect.

But be careful: doctors also warn that eating large amounts of chocolate couldlead to weight gain. a major risk factor for heart problems and strokes. Andsince the study only observed people and did not administer chocolate directly totest its effects, experts say more research needs to be done.