一天一巧克力 从此医生远离你?

We've all heard the old saying about an "apple a day." But how about a chocolate a day to keep the doctor away? German scientists have some good health news for the many people around the world preparing to eat chocolate eggs this Easter.

Easter means feasting on chocolate.

Concerns about calories and sugar often get forgotten.

Now chocolate lovers can be reassured that eating chocolate every day can actually improve your health.

A ten year study by German scientists claims just one small square of chocolate a day can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.

They tracked nearly twenty thousand people between the ages of 35 and 65.

Dr. Brian Buijsse, nutritional epidemiologist of German Institute of Human Nutrition, said, "Especially their risk of stroke was lower and that could be explained by blood pressure, because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and also stroke, but it's higher for stroke."

Scientists believe there would have been 85 fewer heart attacks in their study group if everyone was eating 7.5 grams of chocolate every day,

But there's also a word of caution before you bite into your much anticipated Easter bunny.

Sweet centers and creamy truffles aren't included.

Dr. Brian Buijsse said, "Chocolate contains very high amounts of sugar and fat and therefore many calories, right ? And nowadays many people have overweight and obesity and these are also risk factors for high blood pressure and heart disease, right ? So we do not want people to gain weight right? "

Small amounts of chocolate may help prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other high energy and therefore high calorie snacks.

So if you're planning on eating an Easter egg, you shouldn't be scoffing crisps and pastries as well.

Too many eggs can lead to too much fat, too much sugar and a weight problem which outweighs any health benefits you can get from the chocolate itself.