Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure
Chocolate lovers have a new reason to celebrate, a team of experts has found that the consumption of chocolate can be quite healthy, and even helps to lower blood pressure within just a month. Important to consume the right chocolate.
In a recent study by the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, it was found that the daily consumption of dark chocolate leads to a lowering of blood pressure, and even within a single month. The results of the study were published in the English journal “Nutrition”.
Which chocolate is good for heart health?
While even milk chocolate has its certain advantages, it was found in the investigation, that a salary of 90 percent of cocoa is calling the biggest impact. Dark, strong cocoa-containing chocolate is rich in antioxidants and contains what are called flavonols. If people take a day darker chocolate, it improves the blood pressure of the person Concerned. Benefits due to the consumption of chocolate have been studied extensively, in particular the possible impact on heart health. Flavanols have already been associated with various health benefits, a reduced insulin resistance, to weight management and faster wound healing. Therefore, there is a large scientific interest in how the consumption of Flavanol-rich foods affects our well-being.
How was established the study?
To find out how chocolate affects the heart, the researchers examined 30 healthy adult volunteers aged 18 to 27 years. Over a period of 30 days, these people had to eat a day 20 g of chocolate. Half of the Participants consumed in chocolate with a 55% cocoa content. The remaining Participants took a chocolate of 90% cocoa.
Heart rate and arterial stiffness, as well as other values were measured 30 days prior to the Experiment, and two days after that. The Participants were informed that they have no other flavanol-rich foods such as berries, tea and wine should not to distort the results. In all subjects, a significant improvement in your blood pressure could be observed. The effects, however, were in the group that took the chocolate with a particularly high cocoa content, is particularly strong.
How did the consumption of dark chocolate?
The systolic pressure measures the force arising when the heart’s blood out, while diastolic pressure indicates the pressure when the heart is between beats resting. A normal systolic reading is between 90 and 120 mmHg and diastolic between 60 and 80 mmHg – according to the National Health Service. If the Participating chocolate consumed with a high cocoa content, decreased their systolic blood pressure by 3.5 mmHg. In the case of a group of persons with a consumption of chocolate with a low cocoa content, the systolic blood pressure declined only by 2.4 mmHg. The diastolic blood pressure was reduced by the consumption of chocolate by 2.3 mmHg and 1.7 mmHg. The group with the chocolate with a higher cocoa content also had frequencies of healthier pulse, and an improved so-called ventriculo-arterial coupling. This ventriculo-arterial coupling describes the interaction between the left ventricle and the arteries, which pumps blood through the body. It is believed that this enhanced interaction is attributed to a reduced pressure in the arteries as well as vascular relaxation.
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The study involved only young people took part
The researchers end that had not changed the structure of the hearts of the Participants. This could be due to the fact that the study lasted only over a period of 30 days. The inclusion of only healthy young people in the study could have also led to a reduction in observable health effects.
It is one of the first studies on this topic, which was carried out on young people. Similar studies have dealt typically with middle-aged adults, with health-related diseases.
Consumption of chocolate to maintain heart health
Hopefully, the current study results will help the chocolate to support consumption as a preventive measure for heart health. Further research must now figure out how exactly the chocolate with the Rest of our diet interacts in order to influence our well-being, dei researchers. In addition, it should also be investigated how exactly the cocoa protects the heart, and what amount is optimal to consume. (as)