New study finds food to help lower high blood pressure

With one third of Australian adults having hypertension (high blood pressure), finding new ways to treat it has the potential to make a huge impact on the health of our population.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a disease that can be caused or exacerbated by poor diet, obesity, lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption. It’s considered especially dangerous because it’s a major risk factor for life-threatening conditions such as stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

While changing lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can help to improve hypertension, researchers continue to look for other ways to help people lower their blood pressure.

The latest research

A University of Surrey study has found that consuming cocoa can help lower blood pressure, and it’s the flavanols in cocoa that are getting the credit. Flavonols are a plant-based compound, found in tea, blueberries and red wine – but they’re particularly high in cocoa.

Researchers in the study gave participants flavanol capsules and measured their blood pressure against participants who were given a placebo, and found that those who had the flavanol capsules saw a reduction in their blood pressure, as well as their arteries becoming less stiff.

“High blood pressure and arterial stiffness increase a person’s risk of heart disease and strokes, so it is crucial that we investigate innovative ways to treat such conditions,” said Christian Heiss, professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Surrey.

Researchers noted that the effect on blood pressure only happened in those whose blood pressure was high to begin with, which they said should reduce concerns that “cocoa as a treatment for raised blood pressure could pose health risks by decreasing blood pressure when it is not raised.”

Foods to help lower high blood pressure

Does this mean we can justify our chocolate habit now as purely medicinal? Not quite, but cocoa as a prescribed supplement could be on the horizon, after some more long-term testing. You should follow your doctor’s advice on managing high blood pressure and speak to a doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your health.

“The positive impact cocoa flavanols have on our cardiovascular system, in particular, blood vessel function and blood pressure, is undeniable,” said Professor Heiss. “Doctors often fear that some blood pressure tablets can decrease the blood pressure too much on some days. What we have found indicates that cocoa flavanols only decrease blood pressure if it is elevated.”

Further testing will show whether the effects of cocoa play out the way researchers hope and expect – that is, that lower blood pressure leads to reduced risk factors for stroke and heart disease. If all goes well, cocoa, as part of a whole-of-lifestyle approach, could become a life saver for many.

This article was written by Carolyn Tate, a Brisbane-based writer with a particular interest in women’s health, mental health and living well. Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Professional Writing and a Bachelor of Political Science.