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In another study, 45 borderline obese but otherwise healthy adults were given either cocoa or a placebo. Doctors measured their blood pressure both before and after and found that those who ate dark chocolate had better blood pressure. The benefits of dark chocolate for heart health are immediate. The Journal of the American Medical Association has said that eating a reasonable amount of dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure enough to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 8 percent. When you add dark chocolate for heart health to all the other things you do, like getting enough exercise and eating a careful diet, it makes a difference.
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A study conducted at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, looked at men and women with mildly elevated blood pressure. At the end of the study, those who consumed a small amount of dark chocolate every day had lower blood pressure readings. Those who consumed white chocolate showed no change.
If you're pregnant or know someone who is, keep in mind that blood pressure rises during pregnancy. A little piece of dark chocolate during pregnancy is a good thing, because it can help regulate blood pressure.
