People could eat more cocoa-rich products such as dark chocolate but not drink tea if they want to lower their blood pressure, German researchers reported Monday. A team of researchers from the University Hospital of Cologne analyzed data from previous studies that looked at the benefits of tea and cocoa. (1)__________________________. Their report consisted of exactly 10 studies on cocoa with a total of 173 participants, a third of whom had high blood pressure and were followed for a two-week period, and five tea studies with 343 people for a four-week period. (2)_______________________, the report said. The benefits are believed to come from certain compounds, explained Dr. Dirk Taubert, a leading author of the report. While tea and cocoa are both rich in such compounds, cocoa contains more of the type. This suggests that different kinds of plant compounds may make contributions to lowering blood pressure in different ways. Compared to cocoa compounds, tea compounds appear to be less effective. However, the researchers cautioned that while their findings should not be taken as a widespread recommendation for higher cocoa intake to decrease blood pressure, (3)___________________________. Drug treatment is the basis of blood pressure control, Taubert said, and it should always be accompanied by lifestyle measures such as exercise and proper diet.
