Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure

Study: Dark chocolate (low-bitter) lowers blood pressure. However, a prevention could not be determined.

(28.06.2010) Chocolate not only tastes good, it also lowers the blood pressure of high blood pressure patients. In an Australian study, the positive effect was demonstrated. However, the effect on hypertensive patients is as effective as half an hour of exercise a day. Numerous other studies have already established this connection.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia published their findings in the science journal BMC Medicine. The analysis compared the results of study participants who have high blood pressure. The study also included a comparison group who did not have high blood pressure. While the study found that dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, it only affects patients who also have high blood pressure. In the comparison group without disease this positive effect could not be proven. Therefore, according to the researchers, dark chocolate is not suitable for prevention.

It is not the chocolate that lowers the blood pressure, but the flavonoids flavonoids contained in the cocoa plant. These dilate the blood vessels, which in turn lowers blood pressure. The scientists compared and analyzed 13 chocolate studies. In hypertensive patients, the systolic blood pressure could be lowered by 5 mmHG with regular consumption. However, it is questionable for the researchers whether chocolate could be used for long-term therapy, since the high sugar content leads to overweight. Obesity is another risk factor for high blood pressure. (Sb)

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