Scientists have discovered that flavanols, which are antioxidants present in cocoa, protect the heart by decreasing blood pressure.
They accomplish this by maintaining the elasticity of blood vessel walls, thereby facilitating blood flow throughout the body.
Milk chocolate is likely not a smart decision due to its high sugar content and low cocoa content, which can reach as low as 25%.
However, dark chocolate can be up to 90 percent potency.
Within three hours, those who took cocoa supplements had lower blood pressure and more flexible blood vessels, according to a study conducted by the University of Surrey.
The pills had as many flavanols as 500 grams of dark chocolate, which is typically marketed in 100-gram bars.
Professor Christian Heiss, a cardiologist, and the study’s principal investigator, stated, “The good effect cocoa flavanols have on our cardiovascular system is evident.”
Even though his study utilized a large number of flavonols, he stated that dark chocolate still contains significant levels.
A third of the population in the United Kingdom has high blood pressure, which increases their risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Additionally, leafy vegetables, onions, apples, berries, cherries, soybeans, and even red wine are rich in heart-healthy antioxidants.
In the most recent study, eleven healthy adults ingested a cocoa capsule or a placebo capsule on alternating days for nearly two weeks.
On their arm, participants wore a blood pressure monitor and a finger clip that evaluated the stiffness of their arteries.
On days when they took flavanols, their blood pressure was lower and their arteries were more flexible, even eight hours later.
Importantly, the supplements did not reduce blood pressure on days on which it was already low.
Professor Heiss stated that this may give it an advantage over existing drugs.
He continued, “Doctors frequently worry that certain blood pressure medications can reduce blood pressure too much on certain days.”
According to our findings, cocoa flavanols only lower blood pressure if it is raised.
Professor Heiss stated that he now intends to test the pills on individuals diagnosed with hypertension.
WHAT DO FLAVANOLS MEAN?
Flavanols are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in fruits and vegetables.
Numerous plant-based foods and beverages contain them, including tea, red wine, blueberries, apples, pears, cherries, and peanuts.
They are especially numerous in cacao beans, the seeds of the cacao tree.
The cocoa powder produced by fermenting, drying, and roasting cacao beans is used to make chocolate.
Cocoa flavanols have been found to reduce blood pressure, increase blood flow to the brain and heart, prevent blood clots, and protect cells from harm.
