A new study finds that many heart patients aren’t all that sweet on using chocolate as medicine. Dark chocolate is helpful in reducing blood pressure but really shouldn’t be considered a medication.
Previous studies have indicated Dark chocolate reduces blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide in the lining of blood vessels. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to relax and dilate. Only dark chocolate contains cocoa flavanoids, the active ingredient in dark chocolate that stimulates the action of nitric oxide.
Milk chocolate and white chocolate have little or no cocoa flavanols and, therefore, have no blood pressure lowering benefit. With only 30 calories in a small square, dark chocolate should not increase your waistline. And, you don’t need a prescription!
According to the findings of another brand new research, regular consumption of dark chocolate in small doses can decrease the risks of stroke. These long-term trials involved about 44,500 participants, who ate 1 serving of dark chocolate a week and demonstrated 22% lower incidence of stroke.
At that, a smaller group of people, whose weekly dose of dark chocolate was about 50 g were more than 45% less likely to have a stroke. These new scientific discoveries are to be presented in Toronto at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April 2010.
Dr. Stephen R. Green, associate director of the cardiac catheterization laboratories at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., said patients with hypertension should stick with their medications.
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8 Comments on “Chocolate might not be practical to be recommended as long-term treatment for blood pressure”
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My uncle has a hypertension, well, that was before. Hehe.. Here’s the story… My uncle used to hate chocolates, any form of chocolates. But, when the time he has a high blood pressure and decided to see his personal doctor. The doctor recommended him to eat chocolate to reduce his blood pressure, not just any chocolate, it should be a “DARK chocolate”. My uncle didn’t like what he heard so he insisted his doctor to try other type of medications but his doctor want him to try it first, observe if there will be some changes. His doctor explained everything to him regarding this dark chocolate. After few weeks of eating moderate amount of dark chocolates, his blood pressure decreases. Indeed, dark chocolate is effective for those who have hypertension.
P.S. My uncle’s favorite snack now is “Dark chocolate”. Hehe..
Posted on August 22, 2010 at 11:51 pm.
I really love chocolate and i think a proper prescribe medicine from your doctor is the vest thing to do in your blood pressure. But still i can eat dark chocolate for alternative medicine in blood pressure.
Posted on August 24, 2010 at 6:02 am.
I agree that dark chocolate in good for a heat failure patient. But one has to take consideration that we must moderate the consumption level of this. Thanks a lot for sharing this candied information.
Posted on August 29, 2010 at 9:21 pm.
This are candied information on how chocolate help regulate our blood pressure. Thanks so much for sharing this post; be back for more reading updates.
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 8:26 pm.
I want to say onething that Reduction of blood pressure during long-term treatment with active vitamin D is dependent on plasma renin activity and calcium status. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Thanks for your post.
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 5:54 am.
I like chocolate veru very much, but not dark chocolate.
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 11:06 am.
I certainly agree that having chocolate as an alternative way to lessen our blood pressure is one effective way for us to have. Glad to have drop by reading this information; be back for more updates.
Posted on September 19, 2010 at 5:54 pm.
Very nice post. I don’t think that chocolate is a permanent treatment for blood pressure. Thanks for sharing this information.
Posted on October 4, 2010 at 12:41 pm.