Findings of a recent study, published in the online edition of the Journal of Proteome Research, have come as much delightful news for chocolate lovers everywhere. The Swiss research claims that it has found strong evidence that consumption of dark chocolate immediately lowers stress hormone levels.

30 highly stressed subjects were studied for the sake of the research for a period of two-weeks. Analysis of the results led researchers to note that subjects who had dark chocolate were successfully able to lower their stress levels and experienced less emotional stress.

"The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of two weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers", wrote the researchers. Chocolate consumption also seemed to have corrected certain other stress related imbalances in the subjects' bodies.

The findings, once successfully confirmed, might help people deal with daily stress much better. Constituents in dark chocolate have also been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular conditions.