Posts Tagged Cocoa Flavanols
Cocoa May Lower Blood Pressure
A new home remedy for lowering blood pressure may be to eat cocoa daily! Harvard professor Norman Hollenberg has found evidence that cocoa rich in flavanols, antioxidant compounds found in cocoa beans, improves blood flow which may help people fighting a range of diseases, including hypertension. (Cromie)
His discovery began as a study into the genetics of a small, isolated Caribbean Indian tribe in which hypertension was virtually nonexistent. He quickly found that their resistance was not genetic, as tribe members who had integrated themselves into other societies no longer had the same resistance to high blood pressure. Hollenberg decided to study the lifestyle of the Kuna tribe, “The most outstanding finding was the fact that most them consume cocoa as their major drink and do so every day,” according to Hollenberg, “Many Kuna, in that hot and humid climate, probably drink more than five cups per day.” (Cromie)
Tags: Antioxidant, Beans, Blood Pressure, Chocolate, Chocolate Show, Cocoa, Cocoa Bean, Cocoa Beans, Cocoa Flavanol, Cocoa Flavanols, Dark Chocolate, Diet, Flavanol, Flavanols, Lower Blood Pressure, Lowering Blood Pressure, Normal Blood Pressure, Optimal Blood Pressure, Weight, White ChocolateRelated posts
New study reveals components of cocoa may enhance the appearance of the skin
Cocoa butter has long been used topically in many skin creams and cosmetics because it is thought to be good for the skin. Now, new research just published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals the potential benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa and how it might actually benefit skin from the inside out.
Researchers found that certain components in cocoa may actually help improve the appearance of women’s skin – increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and scaling, and helping to support the skin’s defense against UV damage. The German scientists attributed the observed benefits to cocoa flavanols – a group of compounds that can be particularly rich in cocoa and that have been previously reported to improve blood flow and vessel function.
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Cocoa Could Be A Healthy Treat For Diabetic Patients
For people with diabetes, sipping a mug of steaming, flavorful cocoa may seem a guilty pleasure. But new research suggests that indulging a craving for cocoa can actually help blood vessels to function better and might soon be considered part of a healthy diet for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Flavanols, natural plant compounds also found in tea, red wine, and certain fruits and vegetables, are responsible for cocoa’s healthful benefits. In fact, according to new research published in the June 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), after diabetic patients drank specially formulated high-flavanol cocoa for one month, blood vessel function went from severely impaired to normal.
Tags: Benefits, Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure Cuff, Cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Health, Chocolate, Cocoa, Cocoa Flavanol, Cocoa Flavanols, Diabetes, Diabetic, Diet, Flavanol, Flavanols, Health, Healthy, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Diet, Instant Cocoa, ResponsibleRelated posts