AKIPRESS.COM - Eating up to 100g (4oz) of chocolate a day has been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease and stroke.

University of Aberdeen researchers found that those with a higher chocolate intake had a 23% reduced risk of stroke compared to those who had none - even after taking account of other factors, Sky News reports.

Eating more chocolate - 100g is around two bars of Dairy Milk a day - also gave an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 25% reduced risk of associated death.

The study, which came from analysis of almost 21,000 adults taking part in the EPIC-Norfolk study, is tracking the impact of diet on the long-term health of 25,000 men and women in Norfolk.

It concluded there is no evidence for cutting out chocolate to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.