【Global Times Comprehensive Report】According to a report by the UK's Daily Mail on April 3, chocolate lovers rejoice! A recent study from the University of Coimbra in Portugal reveals that consuming a few pieces of dark chocolate daily can lower blood pressure within a month. While milk chocolate also offers health benefits, dark chocolate with 90% cocoa content proves most effective for reducing blood pressure.
Researchers attribute this to dark chocolate's high concentration of powerful antioxidants—flavanols. These compounds help reduce insulin resistance, regulate weight, and even accelerate wound healing.
To determine chocolate's impact on heart health, researchers had 30 healthy adults aged 18 to 27 consume 20 grams of chocolate daily for 30 consecutive days. Participants' heart rate, arterial stiffness, and pulse were measured before and after the experiment. They were also instructed to avoid other flavonoid-rich foods like berries, tea, and wine to prevent interference with the findings.During the experiment, 15 participants consumed chocolate with 55% cocoa content, while the other 15 ate chocolate with 90% cocoa content. Results showed significant improvements in blood pressure for all participants, with the higher cocoa group experiencing greater benefits. These findings were published in the journal Nutrition.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Systolic pressure indicates the force exerted when the heart pumps blood out, while diastolic pressure reflects the pressure during the heart's resting phase between beats. According to the UK National Health Service, normal systolic pressure ranges from 90 to 120 mmHg, with diastolic pressure between 60 and 80 mmHg.In the experiment, participants in the high-cocoa group experienced a 3.5 mmHg decrease in systolic pressure and a 2.3 mmHg reduction in diastolic pressure. The low-cocoa group saw a 2.4 mmHg drop in systolic pressure and a 1.7 mmHg decrease in diastolic pressure.The high-cocoa group also exhibited healthier pulse rates. However, researchers noted that participants' cardiac data remained unchanged throughout the trial. This limitation may stem from the study's 30-day duration and exclusive focus on healthy young adults.
Similar studies typically target middle-aged individuals with existing health conditions. The strength of this research lies in being among the first to examine young adults. Consequently, researchers plan to further investigate chocolate's cardiovascular benefits and optimal consumption levels, hoping these findings will support chocolate as an effective tool for addressing heart health issues. They assert future studies should focus on how chocolate interacts with our daily diets to achieve enhanced health benefits.