A German study says the risk of stroke and heart attack can be reduced by eating chocolate.

The study of more than 19,000 Germans showed those who ate an average of seven or more grams of chocolate per day had lower blood pressure and a lower risk of stroke and heart attack.

Professor Peter Howe from the University of South Australia says the risk of heart attack and stroke was reduced by almost 40 per cent.

"The outcome is fairly convincing that even when people are consuming just regular chocolate, there is an overall benefit with slightly lower blood pressure and apparently less risk of cardiovascular disease," he said.

The researchers were quick to warn that the study does not endorse the overeating of chocolate, which will result in serious health problems.

source: abc.net.au/news/stories - 31 March 2010