Chinese scientists have described an unexpected possible benefit of dark chocolate. According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, there is a link between dark chocolate consumption and a reduction in the risk of essential hypertension. The scientific work is summarized in a press release by medical science news aggregator Medicalxpress.
The experts analyzed data obtained from the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, which included genetic profiles of 64,945 people of European ancestry. They examined the impact of dark chocolate consumption on the risk of diseases such as heart failure, blood clots, stroke, coronary heart disease and essential hypertension.
There was a significant association between regular consumption of dark chocolate and reduced risk of essential hypertension, and some association between dark chocolate consumption and reduced risk of venous thromboembolism. No association with other diseases has been found.
Hypertension is defined as chronic high blood pressure. The term essential hypertension is used when the cause of high blood pressure is an unknown factor rather than some other disease.
