dark chocolate
2 interactions related to dark chocolate
cocoa + warfarin
Cocoa flavanols can modestly reduce platelet activity in people, which in theory could add to warfarin's anticoagulant effect. In practice the evidence is mechanistic only: no case reports or clinical studies show actual bleeding or a change in INR from cocoa in people taking warfarin. Keeping cocoa intake small and consistent is a sensible precaution rather than a response to a proven interaction.
cocoawarfarinanticoagulantplateletbleedingflavanolsINRdark chocolatedrug interaction
dark chocolate + blood pressure medications
Cocoa flavanols in dark chocolate boost nitric-oxide-dependent vasodilation and modestly lower blood pressure. On top of antihypertensive medication the effect is additive and usually helpful, but in sensitive people it can occasionally nudge readings low enough to cause light-headedness.
dark chocolateblood pressureantihypertensivecocoa flavanolsnitric oxidehypotensionACE inhibitorbeta blockercalcium channel blocker