Eating or drinking cocoa products such as dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of death from any causes including heart disease in older men, according to a new Dutch study.

The study, published in the Feb 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that older men who ate the highest amount of cocoa were half as likely to die of cardiovascular disease as those who ate less or no cocoa. They were also less likely to have higher blood pressure.

Previous studies have associated use of cocoa with healthy hearts. Scientists believe the health benefits are largely attributed to flavan-3-ols, which have been linked to lower blood pressure and protect the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels from being damaged.

In the current study, Brian Buijsse, of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, in Bilthoven, and colleagues examined associations between cocoa and cardiovascular health in 470 men aged 65 to 84 years. The men were subject to physical examinations and interview about their diet at the start of the study in 1985, in 1990 and in 1995.