A food often associated with unhealthy eating may actually help reduce the risk of heart disease. Dietary advice usually recommends limiting chocolate consumption. However, certain elements in chocolate could improve heart health and offer a number of other benefits, the Mirror reported.

It's important to remember that the type of chocolate you consume has a big impact on the benefits you get from it. For example, dark chocolate, which features the highest cocoa content, offers more benefits than white chocolate, which contains no cocoa.

Several key ingredients in chocolate can strengthen your heart health and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Chocolate and cocoa are rich in flavonoid plant nutrients, much like blueberries, apples, red wine and strawberries. Generally, dark chocolate is highest in flavonoids, which when consumed regularly each week can significantly lower your blood pressure.

Flavonoids also serve as powerful antioxidants that can help minimize cell damage from free radicals, potentially reducing the signs of aging and protecting against certain cancers as a result of this damage. Research has also found that flavonoids play an important role in reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes.

One study looking at the role of cocoa on blood pressure and vascular function found that the natural polyphenol flavonoid in cocoa was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

A growing body of research is finding that moderate intake of dark chocolate may help reduce 'bad cholesterol'. Known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), this cholesterol is commonly associated with clogged arteries, which can increase the risk of disease and health complications. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that when combined with almonds every day, dark chocolate can reduce LDL levels by as much as 7% in just one month.

A study presented in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that combining dark chocolate with almonds every day can reduce LDL levels by up to 7% in just one month.

Commenting on the results, Alice H. Lichtenstein, MD, the Gershoff Professor of Medicine at Tufts University and director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory there, notes:

"This was a very well-controlled study that showed that replacing saturated fats coming from dairy fats (butter and cheese) with unsaturated fats coming from nuts (almonds) had a positive effect on plasma lipid concentrations."

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can be a significant source of magnesium. On average, a serving of 28 g of dark chocolate contains about 65 mg of magnesium.

This essential mineral plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, supporting muscle and nerve function and playing a key role in maintaining blood sugar levels. | BGNES