Dark chocolate a boost against blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Consuming a small amount of dark chocolate each day – about one square – could be enough to lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels according to a study done by the US Mayo Clinic.
The flavonoids in dark chocolate are associated with a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system with a recent study showing that six grams of dark chocolate a day lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by two points each.
The dark chocolate could also lower low density cholesterol levels by about five points, sending ‘bad’ cholesterol in the right direction and having a beneficial effect on how the blood vessel lining functions.
Dr Robert Sheeler, of the Mayo Clinic, said that “we think a lot of bad things that happen to the cardiovascular system are because the lining of the vessels crack and become inflamed, setting the stage for plaques to form and rupture”.
Dr Sheeler recommends the darker chocolate which contains 50% to 80% cocoa, and said that it was not necessary to worry about gaining extra calories and fat each day – just one square a day can provide the health benefits.
