Dark Chocolate Similar to Blood Pressure Drugs

Eating dark chocolate may be almost as effective at lowering blood pressure as taking the most common antihypertensive drugs. From more than 3,000 papers, researchers picked 5 of the largest randomized and controlled prospective studies and used statistical techniques to combine the data which appear in the April 9 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine. Four of the five studies on chocolate found reduced blood pressure after eating, but none of the tea studies that the researchers looked at showed significant benefit. The magnitude of the effect of eating three and a half ounces of dark chocolate a day was clinically significant, comparable to that of beta-blockers like atenolol, known by the brand name Tenormin, or propranolol, known as Inderal. The authors acknowledge that the studies were short and that results may not apply to habitual use. Milk proteins prevent the absorption of polyphenols, so milk chocolate is not effective.

Bonnie - this is not anything new. However, I want to propose the reason why dark chocolate showed much more benefit for blood pressure than tea. Tea and chocolate are both high in polyphenols and have shown therapeutic properties for various maladies. However, dark chocolate is high in magnesium. Tea is not. Magnesium has always been linked to maintaining healthy blood pressure.

I was also impressed that the lead researcher mentioned that milk chocolate consumption usurps the polyphenol's effectiveness. As I have said, 70% or more cocoa content for therapeutic value.