Kuna indians live longer thanks to cocoa

PANAMA. Hypertension does not exist for the Kuna Indians in Panama.

The average blood pressure for a Kuna Indian islander, after the age of sixty, is an amazing perfect 110/70.

Just in the United States, one-third of the adult population has high blood pressure.

Until now diet was the major factor in rising blood pressure levels. Now this revelation has nothing to do with eating less salt.

Kuna Indians eat as much , if not more salt, than people in the United States.

Kuna Indians who move away from the islands are just as likely to suffer from high blood pressure, so their good health cannot be attributed to genetics.

Harvard researchers were stunned to learn it’s because they drink about five cups of cocoa each day.

Studies reveal the flavonols in cocoa stimulate the body to produce nitric oxide, a boosting blood flow to one’s heart, brain and other organs.

Brian Buijsse, MSc, and colleagues also report these news in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

“Studies have clearly shown that cocoa lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function” he said.

Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Other factors that can contribute to hypertension include: obesity, stress, lack of exercise and age.