source: http://www.squidoo.com/chocolatebox
Just a nibble a day can keep blood pressure at bay!Between January 2005 and December 2006 Dr Dirk Taubert of University Hospital of Cologne, Germany conducted a study with 44 adults aged 56 to 73. All participants had hypertension but no other health problems.
Dark chocolate contains polyphenols which is a group of chemical substances believed to have health benefits.
During the study participants were randomly selected to receive a 30 calorie (0.126 kilojoule) square of dark chocolate and the other group received a square of white chocolate that has no polyphenols. The dark chocolate used was 50% cocoa.
After 18 weeks those eating the dark chocolate had a three-point drop in systolic blood pressure (that's the top reading) and a two-point drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom). There were no changes to their weight, cholesterol or blood sugar.
Dr Taubert concluded that "Chocolate may be helpful for reducing blood pressure and therefore, the risk of heart attack and stroke".
So, chocoholics, go eat your dark chocolate square and be healthy.
