Chocolate lowers men’s risk of stroke

Men who regularly eat small amounts of chocolate may have a decreased risk of stroke, according to a study out Wednesday.

According to CNN, the Swedish study says that by simply eating one chocolate bar per week, men can reduce their risk of having a stroke by about one-sixth. It is the first in a long line of recent studies about the potential heart and vascular benefits of chocolate that looks specifically at men.

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The study, published in the journal Neurology, followed more than 37,000 Swedish men and showed that those eating the most chocolate were the least likely to have a stroke, reported BBC News. Researchers and the Stroke Association stressed, however, that the findings were no excuse to overeat chocolate.

"It's very important for people to take the news on chocolate with a grain of salt," said Dr. Richard B. Libman, vice chair of neurology at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute in Manhasset, New York, according to Reuters.

Everyone who took part in the study was asked about his eating habits and had their health monitored for a decade, reported BBC News. They were split into four groups based on the amount of chocolate they ate on average each week, ranging from no chocolate to 63g (2.2oz). Comparing the top and bottom groups, the study found that those eating the most chocolate were 17 percent less likely to have a stroke during the study.