In the best news yet for chocolate lovers, a new study has apparently shown that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure.
Researchers in the U.S. along with colleagues in Italy, have added to growing research that presents evidence that compounds found in chocolate called flavonoids can help the blood vessels work more smoothly, possibly reducing the risk of heart disease.
Jeffrey Blumberg of
In the best news yet for chocolate lovers, a new study has apparently shown that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure.
in Boston, who led the study, says that previous studies suggest
flavonoid-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine and chocolate, might offer cardiovascular benefits, but this is one of the first clinical trials to look specifically at dark chocolate's effect on lowering blood pressure among people with hypertension.
Blumberg says the study results suggest that cocoa flavonoids appear to have benefits on vascular function and glucose sensitivity.
As yet scientists are unable to make specific recommendations for patients based on their research on chocolate, and nutritionists have urged people to be cautious because chocolate is high in fat, sugar and calories.
Blumberg and researchers at the
in Italy, studied 10 men and 10 women with
high blood pressure.The group were divided in two and for 15 days, half ate a daily 100 gram bar of specially formulated, flavonoid-rich dark chocolate, while the other half ate the same amount of white chocolate.
Each group then switched over and ate the other chocolate.
According to Blumberg white chocolate, which has no flavonoids, was the perfect control food because it contains all the other ingredients and calories found in dark chocolate.
The dark chocolate used had a high level of flavonoids, giving it a slightly bittersweet taste, in general most Americans eat milk chocolate, which has a low amount of these compounds.