Chocolate & Potassium

Potassium
Potassium in Chocolate
Chocolate and Blood Pressure
Considerations

Written by Jessica Bruso

23 August, 2011

Fact Checked

Chocolate is a delicious sweet treat, which may also lower your risk for certain health conditions, including high blood pressure and blood clots, and may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol and improve your mood. Unlike some candies, chocolate also provides some nutritional benefits, as it contains magnesium, calcium, a type of antioxidants called flavonoids and potassium.

Potassium

Potassium is essential for proper cell function, muscle contraction, digestion of food and transmission of nerve impulses. Potassium may also help to prevent or treat health conditions, including high blood pressure, kidney stones, osteoporosis and stroke, although evidence for the benefit of potassium for these conditions is still preliminary and conflicting.

Potassium in Chocolate

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Chocolate is actually a good source of potassium, with 1.5 oz. to 2 oz. of chocolate containing more than 200 mg of potassium. This means that people on a low-potassium diet need to avoid consuming chocolate. White chocolate, which isn't a true chocolate, doesn't contain as much potassium as milk or dark chocolate.

Chocolate is actually a good source of potassium, with 1.5 oz.
White chocolate, which isn't a true chocolate, doesn't contain as much potassium as milk or dark chocolate.

Chocolate and Blood Pressure

Consuming a small amount of dark chocolate containing just 30 calories each day can lower your blood pressure levels, according to a study from researchers at the Medical College of the University of Cologne, Germany, published in 2007 in "The Journal of the American Medical Association." However, an earlier study published in the same journal in 2003 indicates that this decrease in blood pressure is more likely to be from the flavonoid content of dark chocolate rather than the potassium content 1.

Considerations

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Although chocolate may have some health benefits, consume it only in moderation. It is high in both fat and calories, and contains caffeine. If you suffer from migraine headaches or calcium oxalate kidney stones, you may want to avoid consuming large amounts of chocolate since it could increase your risk for these conditions.