Rich and creamy chocolate drinks may help to reduce blood pressure, according to recent research. Researchers at Harvard conducted a review of past research in 2011 and found that dark chocolate lowered blood pressure in all study participants. The most notable reduction was seen in patients with hypertension. Another study published in the "BMC Medicine" journal in 2010 reviewed the results of 15 studies on the effect of chocolate and blood pressure. According to Dr. Karen Reid, dark chocolate can significantly lower blood pressure in people already experiencing hypertension.
Step 1
Purchase a chocolate drink. Look for chocolate that has a higher cocoa count. The higher the cocoa count in chocolate, the more flavanols are in the drink. Flavanol is the component that is believed to expand blood vessels and decrease blood pressure.
Step 2
Make your own chocolate drink to increase the amount of flavanols. Most chocolate drink mixes contain alkali, called Dutch cocoa, which significantly reduces the cocoa content and will not be as effective in lowering blood pressure.
Step 3
Pour ¼ cup of milk into a saucepan on medium-low heat. Add three small pieces of dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa content. Stir frequently. When chocolate has melted, turn off the heat and whisk until it is blended. Pour the chocolate mixture into a cup and enjoy hot. You can also chill the drink in the refrigerator on hot days.
Step 4
Drink 2 oz. of the chocolate drink every day to noticeably reduce your blood pressure. According to the researchers at University of Adelaide, consuming dark chocolate can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by 20 percent.
Step 5
Continue other lifestyle changes to also lower your blood pressure. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables also contain flavanols and can help reduce blood pressure.
References
- Science Daily; Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure, Research Finds; June 2010
- MSNBC; Is Chocolate Good for You?; Karen Collins; April 2005
- Home Cooking Rocks; 2-Minute Rich Dark Chocolate Drink; January 2011
- AARP; Harvard Study: Dark Chocolate Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure; Candy Sagon; March 2011
