collision detection: Take your medicine

July 28, 2005

Take your medicine

Now this is the sort of science for which the public clamors: A study has found that eating dark chocolate reduces your blood pressure.

In the new issue of Hypertension, the paper -- "Cocoa Reduces Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance and Improves Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Hypertensives" -- reports a study in which half the patients with hypertension were fed dark chocolate, and half fed white chocolate. Dark chocolate is high in flavanoids, antioxidant compounds also found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The folks who ate white chocolate saw no change. But the ones chowing down on dark chocolate had an 11.9 mm Hg drop in their systolic blood pressure -- the top number in a blood pressure reading -- and a 8.5 mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure, number on the bottom. As one of the scientists told Forbes:

"It turns out that chocolate is not only a pleasurable food, but it fits in quite nicely with the other healthy recommendations," said coauthor Jeffrey B. Blumberg, a professor of nutrition and a senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. "We found that three ounces of dark chocolate per day over several weeks reduced blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension and also seemed to provide a benefit on their insulin sensitivity," he added.

Right on. First wine, then beer, now chocolate can be good for you. I can't wait for the study that gives me the green light on crack.

(Thanks to F!LTER magazine for this one!)

Posted by Clive Thompson at July 28, 2005 12:15 PM

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Comments

Those Europeans have had it right all along.

But note that it's 'dark chocolate' that has the effect. The amount of cocoa in the average north american chococlate bar probably does little to help anyone's BP. I think I also read somewhere that the chemical in wine that's so beneficial is found in higher quantities in older and more expensive wines.

It's the health-plan for the bourgeoise. Fine wine and dark chocolate.

Posted by: Steve E. at July 28, 2005 1:08 PM

Now that's a revolution I can get behind, comrade.

Posted by: Clive at July 28, 2005 1:19 PM

Er, Clive, sorry, but the hyperlink to the beer study in your post leads back to the wine article! I like beer and I'd like to read *that* piece...

Posted by: Maryse at July 28, 2005 2:09 PM

Green light on crack?!?
Smarten up and get on the Crystal Meth train Clive. Talk about a boost in productivity - I'm typing this while tap dancing. How's that for multi-tasking?

Posted by: garthbreaks at July 28, 2005 5:26 PM

Maryse, I fixed the beer link! You can check it now.

Garth, yes, meth! Now there's a drug that'll get ya jangling. The problem: Meth mouth.

Posted by: Clive at July 28, 2005 7:11 PM

According to this story, one German insurance company is taking this research to heart - they're encouraging plan members to gobble a few chocos every day. No mention of lower premiums, though.

Posted by: Andrew Rickard at July 28, 2005 11:07 PM

Wow! Right on!

Posted by: Clive at July 29, 2005 12:55 PM

Well, I dunno about meth and crack, but maybe some day some doctor somewhere will do a study that corroborates my comments earlier this week that smoking is a great herbal medicine for treating stress and managing ADD!

Posted by: johntunger at July 29, 2005 2:35 PM

I'd like to see a study on that too!

Posted by: Clive at July 29, 2005 4:23 PM