Good news for all of you chocolate lovers out there. According to a new study, dark chocolate may actually help those who suffer from leg pain due to peripheral artery disease (PAD).

A common circulatory problem, peripheral artery disease describes a condition that occurs when arteries to the limbs narrow, thereby reducing blood flow. The reduction of needed blood to an individual’s legs, leads to leg pain.

Dark chocolate can help alleviate that pain. Studies have shown that during the digestive process dark chocolate produces anti inflammatory compounds that can improve blood vessel function by enhancing blood vessel dilation. Increased dilations means more blood to the legs, which in turn means a reduction in pain. Less pain means more exercise, which in turn helps reduce the symptoms of PAD.

So for you that like dark chocolate — milk chocolate doesn’t produce the same effects — it’s a win/win situation. Of course, you shouldn’t over consume dark chocolate. The participants in the study ate only 0.17 of a pound a day. Please remember too, that you shouldn’t change any medical regimen without consulting with your doctor.

But it's nice to know that the mini chocolate bar that I--I mean "you"--snuck during "your" break, might actually be good for you.

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