Effects of Cocoa on Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Patients With Stage I Hypertension

Inclusion Criteria: * men and women age 18-75 years * stage 1 hypertension (i.e. 140-159/90-99 mmHg) without anti-hypertensive medication or with only one anti-hypertensive medicaion * body mass index \< 35 kg/m² * willing to discontinue the use of chocolate/cocoa products at least 4 weeks prior to intervention. Exclusion Criteria: * anticipated inability to complete or comply with study protocol * use of lipid-lowering or aspirin unless stable on medication for at least 1 month and willing to refrain from taking medication for 12 hours prior to endothelial function scanning * severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>160mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \>100 mmHg), or use more than one anti-hypertensive medications * allergic to cocoa products (chocolate or cocoa powder) * regular use of vitamin C, vitamin E, fish oil, flax seed oil, omega-3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10, fiber supplements, garlic pills, arginine, red yeast rice, and/or any kind of antioxidant and unwilling to discontinue supplementation for at least 4 weeks prior to study initiation and for the study duration. Use of a multi-vitamin containing no more than two times the recommended daily allowance for vitamins C and E is permissible * diagnosed eating disorder * on any specific diet, weight control diet, and/or vegan diet * substance abuse (chronic alcoholism and/or other chemical dependency) * any unstable medical condition that would limit the ability of a subject to participate fully in the trial (e.…