Dark Chocolate reduces Blood Pressure

Doctors could soon recommend a dose of dark chocolate to help people with hypertension, according to a new research. Scientists have combined the consequences of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compound in chocolate, which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure.

DR. Karin Ried worked with a team of researchers from the University Of Adelaide, Australia, to conduct the examination . Flavanols have been shown to boost the formation of endothelial nitric oxide, which encourage vasodilatation & as a result may lower blood pressure. There have, however been conflicting results as to the real life effects of eating chocolate”, she added.
We have found that consumption of significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure.

The pressure reduction seen is the combined result for people with hypertension, 5mm Hg systolic, may be clinically relevant – it is comparable to the known effects of 30 daily minutes of physical activity (4-9 mm Hg) & could theoretically reduce the risk of cardiovascular event by about 20 percent over 5 years. The researchers are cautious, however, “The practicability of chocolate or cocoa drinks as long term treatment is questionable “, said DR. Ried.
The study appears in the open access journal BMC Medicine.
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