Lower Your Blood Pressure with…Chocolate

With one in three Americans suffering from high blood pressure, chocolate could be the new wonder drug. Harvard University studied a tribe of Indians from a Caribbean island off Panama who have perfect blood pressure numbers and a lower incidence of death from heart attacks and strokes, diabetes and cancer.

The Kuna Tribe
What is their secret? The Kuna tribe members drink five cups of cocoa each day. Researchers are investigating the tribe, their diet, and the effect of chocolate on their health. They have discovered that chocolate has a relaxing effect on blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow due to the presence of flavanoids. Flavanoids are a type of antioxidant and chocolate is one of the best sources. Researchers suspect that the flavonols stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which increases blood flow and acts as a blood thinner. Nitric oxide also stimulates insulin production so chocolate may be an aid to diabetics, as long as the chocolate contains no damaging sugars.

Chocolate and Blood Pressure
A study published in 2003, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reiterated the same findings—that chocolate lowers blood pressure. The research, conducted in Germany, studied 13 people between the ages of 55 and 64 who had blood pressure numbers of 153 over 84. After consuming a 100-gram bar of either dark or white chocolate daily, the numbers showed the health benefits of the dark chocolate.

Other Nutrients in Chocolate
Chocolate contains other beneficial nutrients as well, including large quantities of potassium zinc, magnesium and iron. Magnesium is known to help with muscle cramps. Magnesium defliciency is considered one of the reasons that women crave chocolate during PMS. The cacao bean contains fiber that can lower cholesterol levels, especially when combined with the healthy fat in chocolate. As a cholesterol reducer, studies have shown that chocolate increases the HDL-C levels (the “good” cholesterol) and decreases oxidation of the “bad” cholesterol, LDL. Chocolate also contains copper, which is utilized in numerous metabolic functions. Also containing Vitamin E and Vitamin B, chocolate may prove an aid to memory retention.

Chocolate and Mood
Chocolate has long been touted for its effects on mood. The phenylethylamine in chocolate raises the seratonin and the dopamine receptors that control brain chemistry and even pain reactions. Stimulating these receptors is known to reduce hunger and increase libido, leading the chocolate’s reputation as a gift for lovers.

Many chocolates are now on the market with low sugar content, or alternatives to sugar. Dark, raw or organic chocolate will contain more of the healthy nutrients. Fair trade and sustainable beans are also being imported and used by boutique chocolatiers, providing greater access to healthy chocolate for all.