Indulging in a bit of plain chocolate can cut the risk of heart failure, scientific research has revealed. Eating just three or four squares of the sweet treat every week can lower the chances of developing the condition by up to 32%, the study showed.

Compounds called flavonoids found in chocolate have been found to lower blood pressure and ward off heart diseases - but only if the confectionery contains 30% or more cocoa solids.

Professor Linda Van Horn's team from Northwestern University in Chicago, US, made the findings after assessing 31,823 women over a nine-year period. She said, "This is not an 'eat all you want' message, it's that eating a little dark chocolate can be healthy."

A typical chocolate bar weighs around 100g, but while milk chocolate usually contains just 20% cocoa, plain chocolate can contain as much as 75%.

Source: Daily Mirror

Picture Credit: Zsuzsanna Kilian