High blood pressure is a precursor to serious diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, so it is important to lower it through attention to nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This can cause the arteries to narrow, which may increase the risk of heart disease. Fortunately, dietary interventions have been shown to reverse this process, especially when consuming certain foods, primarily cocoa-rich chocolate.
Research has indicated that the plant compounds found in cocoa, known as "flavonoids," reduce high blood pressure. To determine the link between cocoa-rich products and lower blood pressure, a team of British researchers conducted a survey that included many electronic databases and relevant international trial records, as well as documenting patient stories who experienced lower blood pressure after introducing cocoa into their diets.
According to the British newspaper "Express," analyses of studies involving at least 856 individuals revealed a positive effect of cocoa, even when consumed over a period ranging from two weeks to 18 weeks. Researchers from the British Heart Foundation noted that "chocolate and cocoa products rich in flavonoids may have a small but statistically significant effect on lowering blood pressure by 2-3 mmHg in the short term."
Nutritionist Victoria Taylor from the British Heart Foundation warned that "popular milk chocolate contains a very low percentage of cocoa." She added, "Another thing to remember is that all types of chocolate are high in calories due to their fat and sugar content, so care should be taken not to overindulge so as not to increase weight, which in turn affects heart health."
