A US study has stated that dark chocolate can reduce the risk of heart failure. Older women who eat dark chocolate once or twice a week could be lowering their risk of heart failure.

The risk of developing heart failure was cut by a third by eating chocolate once or twice a week but daily consumption did not benefit.

About 32,000 Swedish women who were 48 to 83 years old were followed for nine years by experts to conduct a study.

It was stated by dieticians that chocolate consumption too often can be damaging and unhealthy.

It was stated by the study that a 32 per cent reduction in heart failure risk was noted when 19 to 30 gram one to two servings of dark chocolate a week was taken.

There was an increased reduction of 26 per cent was seen when the servings increased to three a month.

It was observed by the researchers that if chocolate consumption is more then the effect of reducing heart failure also declines.

Experts also stated that sugar and fat content in chocolate makes it unhealthy if eaten too much.

Flavonoids present in a chocolate does it all. Dr Murray Mittleman said, "You can't ignore that chocolate is a relatively calorie-dense food and large amounts of habitual consumption is going to raise your risks for weight gain. But if you're going to have a treat, dark chocolate is probably a good choice, as long as it's in moderation."