A recent study has found that consuming chocolate and drinking tea together may benefit cardiovascular health and help lower blood pressure.
The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, confirmed that natural compounds called flavan-3-ols, found in chocolate and tea, can contribute to reducing blood pressure and protecting the heart.
Christian Heiss, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Surrey in the UK and one of the study’s authors, said:
"In people with high blood pressure, the drop in blood pressure caused by flavan-3-ols was similar to what we expect from blood pressure-lowering medications. In contrast, for those with already low blood pressure, there was only a very small decrease."
Heiss also explained that the average daily intake of flavan-3-ols among study participants ranged from 500 to 600 milligrams.
He added that this amount can be achieved by consuming:
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Two to three cups of tea,
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One to two servings of dark chocolate,
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Two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder,
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Two to three apples,
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Or a combination of smaller portions of these items along with fruits like grapes, pears, and berries.
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