Heartening news on power of chocolate

Merely thinking of chocolate may set pulses racing, but research suggests it can actually lower blood pressure.

Daily consumption of dark chocolate or cocoa powder caused a slight reduction in blood pressure readings, a review of study evidence showed.

Although the effect was small, it was potentially enough to help protect people from heart disease, said experts.

Lead researcher Dr Karin Ried, from the National Institute of Integrative Medicine in Melbourne, Australia, said: “Although we don’t yet have evidence for any sustained decrease in blood pressure, the small reduction we saw over the short term might complement other treatment options and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.”