Dark chocolate ‘may prevent stroke, but only as part of a healthy diet’
Steering clear of chocolate is key to many diets, however, research has shown that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can help to reduce the risk of having a stroke.
US researchers found that 44,489 people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were 22 per cent less likely to have a stroke than people who ate no chocolate.
Sian Porter, dietician and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, said that small amounts of very dark chocolate are likely to contain the highest levels of antioxidants and have the greatest benefits.
She said that chocolate has to be eaten as part of a balanced diet and along with a healthy lifestyle, otherwise the risk of stroke could still be high.
"If you scoff loads of chocolate to prevent a stroke, you would have to have a healthy diet where you are cutting down on saturated fat, salt, and you are being physically active as well," she explained.
Chocolate is often one of the foods women find hardest to give up when dieting, what has been most difficult for you?