Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition wherein the blood pressure is chronically elevated. While it is formally called arterial hypertension, the word "hyperten...
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Dark Chocolate and blood pressure
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Hey everyone...a new study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) July 4th 2007 is of interest to this community
WHATS THE NEWS: Eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate is associated with a reduction in blood pressure, without weight gain or other adverse effects. HISTORY: Previous research has indicated that consumption of high amounts of cocoa-containing foods can lower blood pressure, believed to be due to the action of the cocoa polyphenols (a group of chemical substances found in plants, some of which, such as the flavanols, are believed to be beneficial to health). The effect of low cocoa intake on blood pressure is unclear. THE DETAILS OF THIS JAMA STUDY: 1) In this study they assesed the effects of consumption of low regular amounts of cocoa on blood pressure. 2) 44 adults (aged 56-73 years; 24 women, 20 men) with upper-range prehypertension (blood pressure measuring 130/85-139/89) or stage 1 hypertension (blood pressure measuring 140/90-160/100) were studied 3) Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 6.3 g (30 calories) per day of dark chocolateOR white chocolate (which is polyphenol free) for 18 weeks. 4) The researchers found that from baseline to 18 weeks, dark chocolate intake reduced average systolic blood pressure by -2.9 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by -1.9 mm Hg WITHOUT changes in body weight, plasma levels of lipids, or glucose. 5) Hypertension prevalence declined from 86% to 68%. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged throughout the treatment period among persons in the white chocolate group. CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY: Small amounts of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate as part of a usual diet efficiently reduced blood pressure and improved formation of vasodilative nitric oxide in this relatively small sample of otherwise healthy persons with above-optimal blood pressure. This is good news...except for the fact that dark chocolate is a migraine trigger...makes me think we should all try it Dr O. Posted on 07/06/07, 12:07 am |
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oh give me some dark chocolate then. This is great. 
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Yes, I have heard this from several sources and the high cocoa ones (70%+) are the best to have. My trouble is that they still put my BSL's up too high. Between a rock and hard place I am.
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Yummy news to me lol bring on the chocolate
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