Scientists believe there is growing evidence that eating dark chocolate can relax the blood vessels, help to prevent blood clotting and stave off heart attacks.

To test the thesis Roger Corder, professor of experimental therapeutics at Barts and The London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, is applying for ethical approval for a trial of dark chocolate on 40 patients with cardiovascular disease.

Corder believes there will soon be enough evidence that flavanol molecules found in dark chocolate fight heart disease for doctors to recommend a daily portion of about four squares as part of a healthy diet.

“We may need to have more of these flavanols in our diet. We would be considering 25 grams a day of a good chocolate, such as one with 85% cocoa. In 12 months, with the clinical trials planned, there will be enough initial data to be able to make this recommendation,” he said.

Corder has already confirmed his theory in laboratory experiments, which have been independently funded.

Flavanols act like aspirin in preventing clotting. In trials they have also been found to increase blood flow to the brain, suggesting that they could help to treat dementia and strokes.

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