Cocoa and chocolate have induced decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures in elderly patients with hypertension. In one study, cocoa intake was inversely related to blood pressure in a population of older men. A significant reduction in blood pressure has also been associated with the ingestion of chocolate in patients with high-normal or mild hypertension. However, the amount of cocoa—and specifically, the amount of concentrated flavanols—used in these research studies is at a much higher level than is available in commercial snacks. For example, in one blood-pressure study, participants were given a daily average of 670 mg of flavanols, which is the equivalent of 12 bars of dark chocolate or 50 bars of milk chocolate per day.
Read more clinical information on the control and prevention of hypertension.
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Cite this: Yasmine S. Ali. Fast Five Quiz: Chocolate and Health Facts vs Fiction - Medscape - Oct 11, 2021.
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