Originally published September 29 2005
Eating dark chocolate may lower blood pressure
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Eating flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension, a new study suggests.
- For those with hypertension, a daily dose of dark chocolate may be just what the doctor ordered.
- In a clinical trial, researchers found that dark chocolate may lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
- The research, published in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association, also found that in test subjects who ate dark chocolate, levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, dropped by about 10 percent.
- Chocolate contains flavonoids, a natural antioxidant found in many foods, including tea, red wine and vegetables.
- Previous studies suggest that these flavonoid-rich foods offer cardiovascular benefits.
- In the study, half of the 20 participants ate dark chocolate daily while the others ate white chocolate.
- The blood pressure of those who ate dark chocolate dropped, while those who ate white chocolate saw no change.
- The findings do not mean people should gorge on dark chocolate.
- In the meantime, flavonoid-rich foods, including chocolate, should be a part of an overall healthy diet.
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