Scientists at the University of Surrey recently conducted a study to investigate the effects of cocoa on blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
High blood pressure and arterial stiffness can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes, so finding innovative treatments is crucial.
Previous research has shown that cocoa flavanols can lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness, similar to certain medications. However, it remained unclear how effective cocoa flavanols were in everyday life.
This study aimed to test the use of cocoa flavanols in reducing blood pressure and arterial stiffness in a non-clinical setting.
Testing the Effects of Cocoa Flavanols
Eleven healthy participants took part in the study. They were given either six cocoa flavanol capsules or six placebo capsules containing brown sugar on alternate days.
The participants were provided with devices to measure their blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Measurements were taken before consuming the capsules and at regular intervals afterward.
The Findings
The researchers discovered that blood pressure and arterial stiffness decreased only when they were initially high in participants. There was no effect when blood pressure was already low in the morning.
Interestingly, the positive effects of cocoa were still present eight hours after consumption. The researchers believe that this extended impact may be due to how the gut bacteria metabolize cocoa flavanols.
Cocoa Flavanols and Cardiovascular Health
The study confirms that cocoa flavanols have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system, particularly on blood vessel function and blood pressure.
This finding is significant because doctors sometimes worry that certain blood pressure medications can lower blood pressure too much on certain days.
Therefore, exploring alternative natural solutions like cocoa could be beneficial.
Further Studies and the Role of Coffee and Tea
If you are concerned about maintaining healthy blood pressure, it is recommended to explore other research studies as well.
One major cause of high blood pressure has been identified, and it has been suggested that drinking coffee may help control blood pressure.
Additionally, recent studies have shown that black tea may have a strong effect in reducing blood pressure. Furthermore, consuming 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day has shown promising results in preventing high blood pressure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study conducted by Christian Heiss et al, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, sheds light on the potential benefits of cocoa flavanols in reducing blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
Although cocoa cannot replace medical treatments, it offers a natural and enjoyable option for maintaining cardiovascular health.
As research continues to unfold, scientists hope to develop new ways to incorporate cocoa flavanols into clinical practice.
So, the next time you savor a piece of chocolate, remember that it might be doing more than just satisfying your taste buds—it could be supporting your heart health too.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about a common and unrecognized cause of high blood pressure, and this small habit can greatly benefit people with high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about more efficient ways to treat high blood pressure, and potatoes and high blood pressure: what you need to know.
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