High blood pressure is not something to take lightly. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. While the best ways to manage this potentially chronic condition include exercising, eating well and getting enough sleep, small indulgences like enjoying chocolate can have some surprisingly noteworthy benefits.
Cardiovascular Benefits
In 2010, researchers from Germany revealed that chocolate could have some cardiovascular powers of protection. People in the study who consumed roughly 7.5 g of chocolate every day experienced a 39 percent lower risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who consumed a negligible amount of the confection. In "European Heart Journal," researcher Brian Buijsse did not explain the components responsible for the effects, but indicated that when choosing a snack, it's helpful to know that chocolate could at least have some useful health benefits.
Prevent Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to 2010 statistics from the Internet Stroke Center, affecting about 800,000 people each year. Stroke is caused by weakened blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain, a condition that's highly preventable by maintaining normal blood pressure levels. In the German study, participants who ate the most chocolate had half the risk of stroke. If people in the study increased the amount of chocolate they ate by 6 g a day, they could reduce their chances of stroke, according to Buijsse.
Moderation
Just consuming 6 g of the treat seemed to have the most benefit. By comparison, that's like consuming less than 1.5 Hershey's Kisses, which are 4.5 g each. Consuming too much chocolate, on the other hand, also has proven disadvantages. Eating high-fat, calorie-rich foods is a known risk factor for high blood pressure. A 43-g serving of a chocolate candy bar, which is a typical serving size, has 40 percent of the recommended daily value of saturated fat and 210 calories. A 40.8-g serving of a dark chocolate bar has 40 percent of the RDA of saturated fat and 220 calories.
Types of Chocolate
One component of chocolate believed to have the most beneficial effect on blood pressure is flavonoids. These compounds, found in abundance especially in dark chocolate, act as free radicals, which reduce oxidative damage associated with aging. Oxidation can cause the buildup of plaque and the narrowing or weakening of blood vessels, block blood flow and increase your chance of developing atherosclerosis.
References
- PubMed Health: Hypertension; July 2010
- "European Heart Journal"; Chocolate Consumption in Relation to Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in German Adults; Brian Buijsse, et. al.; March 2010
- The Internet Stroke Center: Stroke Statistics
- ABC News Health; Chocolate Protects Against High Blood Pressure; Kristina Fiore; March 30, 2010
- American Heart Association: Stroke and High Blood Pressure
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; What do Flavonoids do to the Body?; Andrea N. Ladd, PhD; August 2005
