Dark chocolate contains a higher cocoa content, increasing this process. 'In our study we found that the fibre is fermented and the large polyphenolic polymers are metabolised to smaller molecules, which are more easily absorbed,' said Dr John Finley, who led the Louisiana team.
What's more, studies show that daily doses as low as 81 milligrams -- the amount in a baby aspirin -- can reduce the odds of heart attacks and strokes in people who are at risk. About 25 million Americans take aspirin for heart disease protection every day. But there's a catch. Like any other drug, aspirin has dangers.
A toxic dose of aspirin is 200 to 300 mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram of body weight), and ingestion of 500 mg/kg is potentially lethal. Much lower levels can affect children. If treatment is delayed or the overdose is large enough, symptoms will continue to get worse. Breathing becomes extremely fast or may stop.