Lower Your High Blood Pressure With Natural Antioxidants!
According to recent studies, about 1 in 3 U.S. adults has high blood pressure But, because there are no symptoms, nearly 1/3 of these people don't know they have it. Some have it for years without knowing it. High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because, if uncontrolled, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. The only way to find out if you have it is to have it checked by your doctor. You can also purchase digital blood pressure monitors at your local pharmacy. You can reduce your risks of these diseases by simple lifestyle changes such as including and/or increasing antioxidants to your everyday diet. What is High Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). Blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (millimeters of Mercury) systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure is defined as high blood pressure (hypertension). It can directly increase the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke (which leads to heart attack), especially when present with other risk factors. Hypertension can happen in children or adults, but it's more likely common among people over age 35. It is statistically more prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. It may be genetic, but many people who have a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with gout, kidney disease, or diabetes mellitus are more likely to have it too. Hypertension places more work on your heart, which can lead to its becoming enlarged and developing ventricular and other problems. Eventually, you will feel pain, (angina). If you have even a little bit of pain in your chest, get it checked out, immediately. How Does Dark Chocolate Help Lower Blood Pressure? Scientific research shows that dark chocolate has a calming effect, but researchers have now found scientific proof that it will help lower your blood pressure due to different antioxidants in the dark chocolate. Healthy chocolate is good for you because it does not contain the "bad" fats,... just the good ones. Healthy chocolate does not have caffeine, preservatives, fillers, waxes, refined white sugar, milk fats or trans fats! It is has not been alkalized, because excess heat of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit destroys antioxidants. 
Dark chocolate is healthy chocolate! Cacoa powder (dark chocolate) is the highest-rated antioxidant food source-much greater than red wine or green tea. The USDA uses the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) scale to measure the antioxidant capacities of different foods. Unprocessed cocoa powder is number one and has an ORAC value of 26,000 per 100 grams (3.5 ounces). Number two is Acai Berry with an ORAC value of 18,500 per 100 grams.
Darker chocolate is very high in antioxidants. Other dark fruits, such as blueberries and acai berries are loaded with antioxidants, as are green, leafy vegetables like spinach. The Chocolate Manufacturers Association says that dark chocolate contains eight times the number of polyphenol antioxidants found in strawberries. Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Return To Home Page From High Blood Pressure.
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