There does not seem to be any evidence for cutting out chocolate to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, the researchers found in the study published online in the journal Heart.
"Cumulative evidence suggests that higher chocolate intake is associated with a lower risk of future cardiovascular events," the study authors said.
They pointed out that milk chocolates may be just as beneficial for the heart as dark chocolates.
The study by author Chun Shing Kwok from <g data-gr-id="20">University</g> of Aberdeen in Scotland and colleagues monitored the health of 21,000 adults for almost 12 years. Their average daily consumption was seven gram of chocolate, ranging from none to 100g.
The results showed that compared with those who ate no chocolate higher intake was linked to an 11 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 25 percent lower risk of associated death. It was also associated with a nine percent lower risk of hospital admission or death as a result of coronary heart disease, after taking account of dietary factors.
The highest chocolate intake was similarly associated with a 23 percent lower risk of stroke, even after taking account of other potential risk factors.
The researchers also carried out a systematic review of the available international published evidence on the links between chocolate and cardiovascular disease, involving almost 158,000 people.