Chocolate might be a reason for your growing waistline, but it definitely will guard you against stroke. The findings in a recent study suggest that those of the Swedish men eating chocolate probably will not suffer a stroke.

The study is a follow-up of several other studies, which emphasize that chocolate, is good for heart health. However, researchers of the study and Stroke Association have notified that the findings should not encourage one to start eating more chocolates.

The research analyzed more than 37,000 Swedish men. They were inquired about their dietary habits and their health was examined for almost 10 years.

The men were divvied into groups, depending upon their intake of chocolate. One of the groups was administered to be eating not even one chocolate in a week and the other included males having 63g (2.2oz).

The study published in the journal Neurology, highlighted that the group of males, which ate most of the milk chocolate, reduced their chances of suffering a stroke by 17%.

One of the researchers, Prof. Susanna Larsson, suggested that the reason behind this was the presence of flavonoids in chocolate.

Prof. Larsson said, "Flavonoids appear to be protective against cardiovascular disease through antioxidant, anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties". Professor added flavonoids might be reducing levels of bad cholesterol in blood and also blood pressure.