Dark Chocolate May Reduce High Blood Pressure

by laurel on August 23, 2007

Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that consuming cocoa reduces high blood pressure. News Target writes that researchers from Germany’s University Hospital of Cologne examined five studies on how cocoa affects blood pressure. The flavonoids in cocoa, procyanids, have been linked to reduction of cholesterol and blood clotting.

The studies showed that cocoa consumption lowered blood pressure by an average of 4.7/2.8 mm Hg*. This level of blood pressure reduction would reduce the risk of stroke by 20%, coronary heart disease by 10%, and premature death by 8%.

Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, says the superfood cacao balances blood pressure but also protects your liver, brain, and heart, stabilizes your mood, and helps detoxify your blood. Adams said to look for raw, unprocessed cacao and avoid eating processed chocolate products that have refined sugar and milk fat.

* Normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mm Hg

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Paul November 19, 2007 at 7:50 am

Has anyone got any suggestions on where to find raw, unprocessed cacao. Over here in the UK, all chocolate including dark 70% cocoa solids varieties has sugar added.

David "foods that lower blood pressure" February 12, 2008 at 9:28 am

Very good news for chocklate lovers! I read the same thing on another blog and was surprised and doubted it. But, dark chocklate does seem to reduce blood pressure.

high blood pressure causes February 12, 2008 at 2:40 pm

“Research published shows that consuming cocoa reduces high blood pressure.”

Since this statement is backed up by proofs and I myself, have heard some doctors and other medical professionals claim that dark chocolate gradually reduces high blood pressure. I am not completely aware what ingredient in dark chocolate is responsible for reducing high blood pressure, but the good thing lies on the fact ( as many claims) that eating dark chocolates can be beneficial especially for those who have high blood pressure.

disease info April 28, 2008 at 3:02 am

Also you should avoid high cholesterol food to save from hypertension.

Alexis Kenne May 3, 2008 at 7:28 pm

According to recent estimates, nearly one in three U.S. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Doctors think that many things combine to cause HBP. Being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, and eating too much salt are risk factors because they raise your risk of having HBP. Doctors established a long time ago that happy and humorous people don’t fall sick; they don’t suffer high blood pressure and other debilitating ailments, just because they choose to be happy. You would agree that’s not such a difficult decision to make. Doctors often suggest you to decrease salt intake, as sodium can increase blood pressure. But this is an advantage for people with low blood pressure.

Smith August 20, 2008 at 1:12 am

how important this news is for me because my friends father have blood pressure he want to reduce it but they don’t know it can possible. It helps him

Thanks
Smith

Manoj September 30, 2008 at 5:21 am

Anti-oxidant properties are considered to be preventive and healing for high blood pressure and threatening epidemic of heart attacks.

I think it is still premature and these findings must be taken with caution. These are yet sporadic studies. Many variables, research methodologies and sponsors interests reflect on the research conclusions. I am not saying to disbelieve but to use the news with discretion.

Less than 7 gms of dark chocolate per day is said to decrease inflammation and prevent heart disease.

Other lifestyle modifications that are well documented by clinical experience of decades are more reliable for those who are seriously contemplating to reverse the disease and reduce the attendant risks of hypertension.

Dark chocolate can be an ancillary experimentation along with comprehensive lifestyle related choices like nutrition, few minutes of daily walk, quitting smoking and stress management.

Manoj

Cure for High Blood Pressure January 16, 2009 at 11:08 pm

High posterity pressure is a serious condition that affects one in four adults. High blood pressure is dangerous on this account that it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body. It is the constrain of blood against the walls of arteries. It makes the heart work harder to cross-examine vital current to the body and causes the hardening of the arteries. Normal blood pressure is less than 130/85. High blood pressure is higher than 140/90. Hypertension is between 120/80 and 140/90.

Sandy April 5, 2009 at 8:01 am

I have suffered with high blood pressure – but the good news is that is now normal. I changed my lifestyle and exercise and my secret elixir is a couple of squares of dark chocolate and one glass of red wine a day no more , no less, not saying this is going to work for everyone , but it has done the trick for me.

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