Dark Chocolate is anything but health food. It not only tastes too good, but is high in calories, fat, and sugar. Recent research however shows that their may be some health benefits.
The latest research, which studied 20 volunteers and has been recently punished in the American Heart Associations journal “Hypertension,” shows that it reduced blood pressure in the volunteers who ate about three and a half ounces daily for fifteen days. The results were not only statistically significant but clinically meaningful – enough to effect health. Systolic blood pressure, the “top number,” dropped an average of 11.9 points or millimeters, and diastolic blood pressure, the “bottom number,” dropped an average of 8.5 points or millimeters.
What about other chocolates? Well, volunteers who ate white chocolate saw no such beneficial results.
There were other healthy effects in the group that ate dark chocolate as well. Their LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol) levels also decreased. And they also say an improvement in insulin sensitivity, another healthy benefit.
So, is dark chocolate good for you? It appears that the flavonols in it are having the healthy effects. Favonols are also found in fruits, vegetables, red wine, and more.
Clearly the favonols in dark chocolate have a beneficial effect in hypertension or high blood pressure, at least according to this study. This isn’t to say that hypertension sufferers should immediately start eating large amounts, but adding a few ounces a day as part of a healthy and balanced diet may have a positive effect.
Harold Baldwin writes on health, wellness, and technology issues. See his latest at Rubber Stair Treads and Braided Stair Treads.
