Ongoing research shows that eating dark chocolate exerts beneficial effects throughout the whole body. High quality chocolate delivers disease-zapping antioxidants, lowers blood pressure and protects your heart and liver, all in one fell crunch

Dark Chocolate lowers blood pressure

According to a new meta-analysis published last month in the BMC Medicine journal, dark chocolate may help to reduce blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension.

Compared to control groups, chocolate-eaters had an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 5 mmHg, which is comparable to the blood pressure lowering effects of daily exercise

Dark Chocolate prevents damage from strokes

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University believe they have discovered a biochemical pathway by which a chemical naturally found in dark chocolate can help protect the body from strokes. Previous research has shown that a flavanol known as epicatechin appears to protect the body against cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Chocolate:

- Inhibits the oxidation of LDL

- Improves endothelial cell function

- Inhibits platelet activation

- Reduces LDL

- Increases HDL

- Increases insulin sensitivity

- Reduces inflammatory proteins such as NF-kB

- Lowers blood pressure

Conclusion


Such effects are impressive and desirable, so does this mean that we should all run out and go nuts with the candy bars and chocolate cake? Of course not (but you knew that, didn't you?). When choosing chocolate for your health, reach for the extra dark variety. At least 70% dark is best, and the lower the sugar, the better. Cacao (the bean that chocolate comes from) contains potent antioxidant flavonoids, and actually has a higher ORAC score than other well-known antioxidant powerhouses, such as pomegranates, blueberries, and wine. But beware: Processing and roasting cacao can cause almost all of the beneficial flavonoids to be destroyed.  That's exactly why Xocai is so healthy!  None of our chocolate is heated, or has fat or sugar added!  It's all natural goodness!