Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US have published (Nov 06) the results of what is believed to be the first biochemical analysis, to explain why eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day, can almost halve the risk of heart attack death in some men and women....

Diane Becker, a professor at Johns Hopkins, said: "... the chemical in cocoa beans has a biochemical effect similar to aspirin in reducing platelet clumping, which can be fatal if a clot forms and blocks a blood vessel, causing a heart attack."

The genetic study of aspirin responsiveness (GeneSTAR) was conducted at Johns Hopkins University between June 2004 and November 2005 involving over 500 men and 700 women participants nationwide. None of the "offenders" had previous histories of heart problems, such as a heart attack, but all were considered to be at a slightly increased risk of heart disease because of family history.