The Pre Diabetes Diet – Dark Chocolate Helps Lower Blood Pressure

There is a lot of buzz these days concerning the health benefits of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which are antioxidants. These nutrients have been shown through research to lower blood pressure when it is elevated above normal levels. The more commonly encountered lighter chocolate, or milk chocolate, does not contain flavonoids in any significant amount. One reason for this is that fact that flavonoids are produced by plants whereas the milk in milk chocolate dilutes any antioxidants.

Elevated blood pressure is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions which include high blood pressure, increased abdominal girth, lipid abnormalities, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In the metabolic syndrome high blood pressure and diabetes are linked by association. If a person has two of the aforementioned components of the metabolic syndrome, they are considered to have the metabolic syndrome.

When it comes to dark chocolate, the flavonoids are good for our health. Flavonoids are antioxidants that act as buffers against toxic by-products of cellular metabolism. We never outgrow our need for antioxidants. Many people are antioxidant deficient and take supplements in addition to watching their diet.

A recent study showed that the concentration of flavonoid antioxidants in dark chocolate is very high, with antioxidant levels higher than dried fruit when compared by portion.

The researchers did report that the flavonoids found in Hershey’s Kisses were highly concentrated also. This raised the question. How many calories in a Hershey’s Kiss? One Kiss weighs 1/60th of an ounce. In addition, a single kiss contains 2 and 1/3 calories. The researchers reported that a single Hershey’s Kiss per day would be sufficient to deliver the quantity of flavonoids needed.

This is very good news. We have an antioxidant whose health benefits are backed by clinical research. Not only that, but the dark chocolate in a Hershey’s Kiss is packed with flavonoids to the extent that a single Kiss per day is sufficient. With this small amount of dark chocolate comes very little sugar. Hershey’s Kisses are flavonoid pills or so it seems. By the way, should you want to indulge in more than one Hershey’s Kiss, 9 Kisses are considered to be a portion or serving.

Do you find yourself on occasion drawn to sweets at the end of a meal? Do you occasionally want something sweet as a bedtime snack? How about one or several Hershey’s Kisses to fit the bill. In doing so, you will allow yourself the treat of the moment while ingesting a powerful, proven antioxidant. The amount of sugar will be small. Give the Hershey Kiss some consideration.

By: Robert Urban M.D.

About the Author: