The good news about chocolate continues!
A new study out of Australia confirms that that cocoa flavanols in chocolate can lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness just like blood pressure medications. And the best part is that it only kicks in to do that when your blood pressure is high.
The key is to get dark chocolate. The higher the percentage, the better. Milk chocolate is not nearly as pure. The study found the benefit to blood pressure and the arteries has TWO peaks. One shortly after eating it and the other eight hours later. The body loves metabolizing cocoa, which is why it happens.
Experts warn not to let the good news get you too excited. You still shouldn’t eat a whole bag or bar. Just a couple of squares a day.
Photo: Getty Images