Confirmation | Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure

Love to Eat A review of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compounds in chocolate which cause dilation of blood vessels, confirms that eating dark chocolate has a measurable reducing effect on elevated blood pressure but not normal bp.

The reduction in blood pressure from eating dark chocolate is comparable to the medically-established effects of 30 daily minutes of physical activity and could theoretically reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by about 20% over five years, according to Australian Dr Karin Ried.

In confirming the efficacy of chocolate to cause dilation of blood vessels, researchers agree that its efficacy as a long-term treatment is questionable. via Science Daily