Good news for chocolate lovers! Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found that dark chocolate may be as effective as aspirin in preventing heart attacks. In fact, just a few squares of chocolate a day can reduce the risk of heart attack by almost 50 percent.
Researchers made the discovery after some volunteers for a trial examining the effects of aspirin were disqualified for eating chocolate, after warning that indulging in chocolate could affect the results.
Despite being dropped from the study, blood samples revealed that the platelets from those who had eaten chocolate clotted more slowly than those who had not, resulting in a protective effect against heart attacks.
The full results of the study were presented at the American Heart Association's 2006 annual Scientific Sessions.
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