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High Blood Pressure & Dark Chocolate: This yummy treat can help to lower hypertension
High blood pressure aka hypertension is one of the common health problems prevailing in India. If left untreated then it can lead to other health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, gout, eye disorder and vascular dementia among others.
High blood pressure aka hypertension is one of the common health problems prevailing in India. If left untreated then it can lead to other health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, gout, eye disorder and vascular dementia among others. High BP often increases the risk of hardening of arteries and the same can lead to heart attack and stroke. While medications are easily available one can also go for natural and home remedies to control and prevent the same.
One of the best ways to bring down BP levels is lowering the intake of salt and sodium-rich foods and increase the intake of potassium-rich foods. For the unversed, potassium-packed foods help to balance the negative effects of the salt.
As per Blood Pressure the UK, "Your kidneys help to control your blood pressure by controlling the amount of fluid stored in your body. The more fluid, the higher your blood pressure. Your kidneys do this by filtering your blood and sucking out any extra fluid, which it then stores in your bladder as urine. This process uses a delicate balance of sodium and potassium to pull the water across a wall of cells from the bloodstream into a collecting channel that leads to the bladder."
Dark chocolates for high BP
One of the foods which are known to lower BP levels is dark chocolate. Yes, you read it right, chocolate lovers can rejoice. As per researchers, the compounds called flavanols in cocoa play the role in lowering high BP. The flavonols in the chocolate stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce nitric oxide. This particular gas sends signals to the arteries to relax.
As per several studies, eating dark chocolate can not only help to lower systolic blood pressure but also diastolic blood pressure. While choosing dark chocolate one should buy high-quality chocolate which has around 70 percent cocoa. Eat an ounce of it every day and reap the health benefits of it.
Also, people who have high BP issues are also recommended to lower the intake of packaged and junk foods and must include fresh fruits and veggies more.
Bottomline
Apart from just eating dark chocolate, one should also follow a healthy diet and workout regime to achieve results. Also make sure, to have them in moderation as they are high in fat and calories.
