Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Another Reason to Enjoy Dark Chocolate

If you have a heart condition, it's important to keep your blood pressure under control to prevent a heart attack. Almost one in three adults has hypertension (high blood pressure), defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.

While some risk factors for a heart attack cannot be changed – your age, gender, family history and so forth -- other risk factors can be controlled or even eliminated altogether. High blood pressure is one of these.

Now a small study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Volume 298, page 49) suggests that a little dark chocolate might help your blood vessels relax. In the study, 44 adults (ages 56–73) with mildly elevated blood pressure levels were randomly assigned to eat a 0.25-oz piece of either dark or white chocolate every day.

Over 18 weeks, those given the dark chocolate saw their systolic and diastolic blood pressures dip slightly -- by an average of two to three points -- while the white chocolate group experienced no change in their blood pressure levels. Eating these small amounts of chocolate did not cause weight gain or harmful increases in blood cholesterol or blood glucose.

Unlike white and milk chocolates, dark chocolate is rich in polyphenols, plant compounds that increase nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide helps blood vessels relax and dilate to facilitate blood flow. In fact, during the study, the formation of nitric oxide appeared to increase in the blood-vessel linings of the dark-chocolate eaters but remained constant in the white-chocolate group.

Take away message: These results are not a chocolate lover’s dream. The daily allotment amounted to 30 calories -- akin to a Hershey’s Kiss rather than a Hershey bar. Remember that overindulgence can lead to weight gain, which can send your blood pressure on the rise.

Posted in Heart Health on September 5, 2008
Reviewed July 2009

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Heart Health Alerts?

Your email address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.




Post a Comment


Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Register to submit your comments.

Your Email Address:

(example: yourname@domain.com)

 

(800) 829-0422

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis
Back Pain & Osteoporosis
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Enlarged Prostate
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Hypertension & Stroke
Lung Disorders
Memory
Men's Health
Nutrition
Prescription Drugs
Prostate Disorders
Sexual Health
Vision
Weight Control
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report



Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Coronary Heart

Our Featured Title:

Johns Hopkins White Paper 2010: Coronary Heart

  • 2010 Coronary Heart Disease White Paper
    The Coronary Heart Disease White Paper reports on the latest life-saving advances for your heart health, to help you prevent or treat coronary heart disease. Topics include preventing first heart attacks; heart attack recovery and its effects on your overall lifestyle and health; preventing a second heart attack; angina; cardiac arrhythmias; and congestive heart failure. 96 pages.
    Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION

    Other Heart
    Related Titles:

  • Johns Hopkins Recipes for a Healthy Heart
    Over the years, research has shown us that diet and exercise play an important role in the prevention of heart disease. Hopkins experts..."Read more…

  • 2010 Diabetes White Paper
    The Diabetes White Paper teaches you how to manage Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and avoid complications, such as nerve damage, heart disease, kidney failure, and retinopathy. This comprehensive report explains the basics of how your body metabolizes glucose and reviews the latest medications and tools for monitoring your blood glucose. Includes diagrams, glossary, and recent research. 96 pages. Read more...

  • 2010 Hypertension and Stroke White Paper
    High blood pressure, or hypertension, gives few warning signs before it erupts with major complications, such as a stroke. Fortunately, in most cases the condition can be easily detected during a regular check-up and can usually be controlled with a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. In the Hypertension & Stroke White Paper, experts at Johns Hopkins explain what you can do to manage high blood pressure in order to prevent stroke, and much more important information. 96 pages. Read more...

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    You won't find a more authoritative source for the most current health news. Since 1988, Hopkins experts have been reporting on the latest cutting edge information on treating the major medical conditions affecting the over 50s. Women's health, men's medical concerns, nutrition, weight control, and more, direct to you every month from our specialists. Read more…


  • ALL NEW!Number One of America's Best Hospitals 2010-2011: Johns Hopkins

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been ranked #1 again in the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals by
    U.S. News and World Report for the 20th consecutive year.


    Please visit here for more information about Johns Hopkins Patient Services


    © 2010 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com