Study finds cocoa helps reduce blood pressure, arterial stiffness — A look at its other benefits

Cocoa helps reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness in case these factors are elevated, a new study has revealed. Flavanols found in cocoa have previously been known to lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness. However, their effectiveness in every day remained unknown.

The study by the University of Surrey was published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Nutrition’. Previous studies in this area have been performed in tightly controlled experimental settings. But the Surrey research was the first of its kind that observed the effects of flavanols outside clinical settings.

The study found that cocoa flavanols only decrease blood pressure if it is elevated and have no effect if the levels are normal. The findings counter the concerns that cocoa as a treatment for raised blood pressure could pose health risks to patients by decreasing their blood pressure when it is not raised. The study also paved the way for cocoa to be used in clinical practice.