People who are looking after the health of their heart may already be taking EDTA to promote healthy circulation throughout the vascular system.

Now, a new Italian study suggests that eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day can also protect against cardiovascular disease.

The results, published in the Journal of Nutrition, state that 6.7 grams (.25 ounces) of chocolate is the optimal amount to consume to help prevent inflammation, which is a risk factor for more serious heart diseases.

C-reactive protein levels, which were measured by the scientists, are the general indicator of inflammation.

“Our results have been absolutely encouraging: people having moderate amounts of dark chocolate regularly have significantly lower levels of C-reactive protein in their blood,” commented lead author Romina di Giuseppe.

She explained that the study began with the hypothesis that antioxidants such as flavonoids, which are naturally found in cocoa, could be beneficial for inflammation.

Flavonoids have previously been connected with heart health and can also be found in foods and drinks including red wine, tea, cranberries and apples.