BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Just in time for Valentine's Day, there is new evidence that chocolate may be good for your heart and your brain. Two studies find that people who regularly eat small amounts of chocolate have a lower risk for stroke.

Compared to those who ate no chocolate, those who indulged about once a week had a 25 to 45 percent reduced stroke risk.

Research to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting has found that compounds in chocolate called flavonoids can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure -- which may explain the effects on stroke.

However, experts agreed the findings are not a license to eat candy bars every day. The fat and sugar in chocolate can offset any benefits from the flavonoids, so nutritionists recommended consuming no more than a few squares per week.

Also, they said, stick to dark chocolate, as this variety has the highest concentration of antioxidants.

And if people are serious about reducing stroke risk, neurologists said chocolate won't be enough by itself -- people should also eat fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and refrain from smoking.