Two recent studies published in the journals Age and British Journal of Nutrition reveal that cocoa flavanols—a type of plant-based compound found in cacao beans—can improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
As people age, their arteries naturally stiffen and blood vessels become less flexible.
This reduces blood flow, increases blood pressure, and raises the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death globally.
Professor Malte Kelm from University Hospital Düsseldorf emphasizes the urgent need to understand how diet, particularly flavanol-rich foods, can help maintain heart and vascular health.
Cocoa flavanols are bioactive compounds derived from cacao beans. They are known to benefit cardiovascular health.
However, many flavanols are lost during food processing, so not all chocolate products retain their health benefits.
Earlier research focused on high-risk individuals, but these new studies are among the first to examine their effects on healthy, low-risk populations.
In the Age journal study, 42 healthy men (22 younger than 35 and 20 aged 50–80) drank either a flavanol-rich or flavanol-free beverage twice daily for two weeks.
Researchers found improved blood vessel function in both age groups. The older group also experienced a 4 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure—a meaningful reduction.
The second study, published in British Journal of Nutrition, involved 100 healthy adults aged 35–60.
After four weeks of flavanol intake, participants showed significant improvements: 21% better blood vessel dilation, lower blood pressure (by 4.4/3.9 mmHg), reduced LDL cholesterol, increased HDL cholesterol, and improved Framingham Risk Scores.
The estimated 10-year risk of CVD dropped by 22% and heart attack risk by 31%.
While the findings are promising, researchers advise caution. The studies were short-term and involved relatively small groups. Longer-term studies, such as the 5-year COSMOS trial with 18,000 participants, are underway to confirm the long-term effects of cocoa flavanols on heart health.
These studies suggest that cocoa flavanols could offer a simple, dietary way to reduce age-related cardiovascular decline. Incorporating flavanol-rich foods or supplements may help promote heart health—even in individuals without existing heart problems.
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