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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension
05:57

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis.

Karin Ried1, Thomas Sullivan, Peter Fakler

  • 1Discipline of General Practice, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. karin.ried@adelaide.edu.au

BMC Medicine
|June 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Dark chocolate consumption may help lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. This meta-analysis found flavanol-rich cocoa products significantly reduced blood pressure in hypertensive but not normotensive individuals.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension
05:57

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Dark chocolate and cocoa products rich in flavanols have shown potential for managing blood pressure.
  • Previous research yielded conflicting results on cocoa's effect on blood pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current evidence on the impact of flavanol-rich cocoa products on blood pressure.
  • To analyze effects in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (1955-2009).
  • Included studies comparing cocoa products to placebo for at least 2 weeks.
  • Performed subgroup analyses based on baseline blood pressure and meta-regression.

Main Results:

  • Pooled analysis showed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP).
  • Subgroup analysis revealed significant BP reduction only in hypertensive/prehypertensive individuals.
  • No significant BP reduction was observed in normotensive individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Dark chocolate is effective in reducing systolic hypertension and diastolic prehypertension.
  • Flavanol-rich chocolate did not significantly lower blood pressure below 140/80 mmHg.