Cocoa, not tea, calms blood pressure, study says Mon Apr 9, 4:12 PM ET



Some may see a cup of tea as soothing but chocolate is more likely to lower one's blood pressure, German researchers reported on Monday.

Foods rich in cocoa appear to reduce blood pressure but drinking green and black tea may not, according to an analysis of previously published research in the Archives of Internal Medicine, published by the American Medical Association.

The drop in blood pressure among participants who consumed cocoa products for at least two weeks was in the same range as achieved by someone taking drugs commonly prescribed to control high blood pressure.

The fall in blood pressure credited to cocoa could be expected to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks by 10-20 percent, the report said.

Both cocoa and tea contain polyphenols, a class of chemicals known to help prevent cardiovascular disease that are present in most fruits and vegetables. But cocoa has a different type than tea -- procyanids -- that appear to be more active.

Currently, patients with high blood pressure are urged to eat more fruits and vegetables, although cocoa and tea products account for the bulk of total polyphenol consumption in Western countries, the study said.

But don't start gobbling up chocolate bars just yet, wrote study author Dirk Taubert of the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.

Treats such as dark chocolate might be substituted for other high-calorie desserts, based on the study's findings, but "we believe that any dietary advice must account for the high sugar, fat and calorie intake with most cocoa products.

"Rationally applied, cocoa products might be considered part of dietary approaches to lower hypertension risk," he wrote.

very true, 70/80% cocoa dark chocolates are good for you..

but not that regular candy shit

eraclito said:

Well there's another thing we agree on...
I have been savouring a bar of Lindt 80% dark chocolate

Shanti1 said:

yes that is some good stuff, it seems we have one more thing in common, i love to take my time and savour as well.

..
[Edited 4/10/07 6:19am]

eraclito said:

hmmm wondering what you edited....

i read that eating kit-kats in bulk can cure up to 80% of fatal diseases.

of course, i just wrote that on this thread and THEN i read it, but there it is in black and white all the same.

Anx said:

screw meeting up with you for tea...

We are going to sit and eat all sorts of sugary treats til we pass out.



hey I am excited about the chocolate lowering blood pressure.. sad thing is that I have very low blood pressure naturally. But I will NOT stop eating my 80% cocoa goodies...

Shanti1 said:

i would be disappointed if we got together and ate anything besides chocolate cake covered in hot chocolate with peanut butter & chocolate ice cream on the side topped with a mountain of whipped cream and butterfinger crumbles.

anything less would be grossly inappropriate.
[Edited 4/10/07 17:46pm]

Anx said:

omg, if that's the plan I'm crashing!

CarrieMpls said:

if we're adding to the ranks then i think a vermonster is in order.

Anx said:

Is that like a vomitorium? So we can eat chocolate till we can't stand it anymore and then throw up and brush our teeth then eat some more?
If so, cool.

CarrieMpls said:

behold the vermonster:



then then then

Anx said:

OK YOU KNOW ME TOO WELL...

Is it bad that I got a little moist reading that..


Ohhhh damn I am so craving all of the above now!!!


Oh and Carrie- I am game for sharing if Anx is

and I am sure for you he would be A- OK with it

i'm afraid when it comes to sweets, i am the total opposite of a good influence.

Anx said:

I am sure it does not just apply to sweets...

Anx said:

omg!!

I'm in!!

Anx said:

OMG

Anx said:

What the hell is that??? It looks like a tub "o" lard.

sextonseven said:

I am going to let Anx and Carrie eat the topping and then I will swoop in once the chocolate appears...

sextonseven said:

thank god almighty, it's even worse.

Anx said:

Worse than a bucket "o" Oreo filling? That's hard to accomplish.


"O" is the word "o" the day.

sextonseven said:

ewww oreo filling...

sextonseven said:

It contains the following:

* Twenty scoops of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet
* Four ladles of hot fudge
* Four bananas
* Ten scoops of chopped walnuts
* One fudge brownie
* Three cookies
* Two scoops each of four different toppings
* Whipped cream

JustErin said:

Nevermind...give me the cake with the hot fudge and nuts..oh add some warm caramel..

damn- this is not good- I have no cake..

JustErin said:

What's the point of getting this heartstopper with frozen yogurt or sorbet? I mean, really?

I need some chocolate....

For Easter my Mum and I made a chocolate cake with 80% cocoa real dark chocolate.. omg it really is to die for..

REDFEATHERS said:

JustErin said:

they'll make it without the bananas and walnuts if you don't want to go the health food route.

Anx said:

bananas are evil....it is a texture thing for me...