This Sweet Treat Could Help Lower Blood Pressure Readings When Consumed Regularly

Known in the medical field as hypertension, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and, at the same time, tire your heart out. Good thing there is a sweet treat that, if consumed at the right amount daily, could help lower your blood pressure reading.

A Sweet Dark Treat

A study conducted by Harvard researchers found that daily consumption of a small number of dark chocolates helps reduce blood pressure readings. The findings of the study are very helpful, particularly for those who suffer from the condition.

Their findings were presented during the science session of the American Heart Association, a forum that discussed cardiovascular diseases. Researchers said their study analyzed the results on 1,106 participants in 24 other studies about chocolate.

According to the researchers, they discovered that chocolate that contained around 50% to 70% cocoa helped in lowering the blood pressure of participants, particularly those who have high blood pressure.

The Role of Flavonoids

The authors of the study included Dr. Eric Ding of Harvard Medical School. He said that a cocoa bean is abundant with flavonoids. He also revealed that flavonoids belong to a group of phytonutrients, which can be found in nearly all vegetables and fruits.

Dr. Ding also revealed that flavonoids are powerful antioxidants containing anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits. The study conducted by Dr. Ding and his team at Harvard also noted that dark chocolate contains approximately 46 to 61mg of catechin in every 100 grams. Catechin is a type of flavonoid. According to the Harvard research team, the flavonoid content of dark chocolate is way higher than that found in milk chocolate.

The Harvard research also observed that milk chocolate contains only up to 16mg flavonoid in every 100 grams. Researchers, however, said that this does not mean an open license for everyone to consume as much dark chocolate as they can. Dr. Ding said that you need to consume this sweet treat in moderation; otherwise, it can cause you to gain weight. He also said that people should opt for dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa.

Other Ways of Lowering High Blood Pressure

There are also other ways of reducing high blood pressure readings. If you are a smoker, for instance, quitting the unhealthy habit now can greatly help in reducing high blood pressure. The National Health Service also recommends cutting down on alcohol consumption. Eating a low-fat and balanced diet, which includes lots of vegetables and fruits can also help hugely.