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.
Aspirin 75 to 100 mg daily may be used in all patients with polycythemia vera without a history of major bleeding or gastric intolerance. Aspirin has been studied in more than 1,000 patients and is recommended in multiple polycythemia vera guidelines.