While there are well over 100 chocolate studies that document
chocolate’s health benefits, one recent study shows just how
much people should eat to lower their blood pressure.
Research released by the Journal of the American Medical Association said a quarter
of an ounce, which is about 30 calories worth of dark chocolate, is all it may
take to lower blood pressure.
In the study, doctors had some patients eat white chocolate, while others ate a piece
of dark chocolate daily. Every one of the dark chocolate eaters saw their blood
pressure drop a few points.
“It may not sound like much, but it turns out that even small differences in blood
pressure actually lead to significant reductions in problems like heart attack, strokes
and other complications from blood pressure,” said Dr. Tony Das, an interventional
cardiologist at CIVA. “So, it’s a pretty important study in some ways.”
Das said natural compounds in the chocolate widen blood vessels, lowering blood
pressure.
Doctors say patients should not quit their prescription medication, but adding a tiny
bite of dark chocolate could make a sweet differenc