In today's health matters, chocolate may be good for your heart. But cardiologists say that's not a license to indulge.

New research suggests chocolate consumption may be associated with a one-third reduction in the risk of developing heart disease.

Just why the link exists is unclear. British researchers pooled results from seven studies involving 100,000 people.

Five studies showed a beneficial link between eating chocolate and cardiovascular health, two did not.

Overall the findings showed the highest level of chocolate consumption was associated with a nearly 30 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Study authors noted that the heart benefits could be canceled out by the unhealthy nature of much of the chocolate available to the public.

The findings appear in the "British medical journal."