New research suggests that a natural compound found in cocoa may help protect the heart and improve blood vessel health, even in people who are already healthy.
Two recent studies, published in the scientific journals Age and British Journal of Nutrition, show that cocoa flavanols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and support better heart function as people age.
Cardiovascular disease, often called heart disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide. As people get older, their blood vessels naturally become stiffer and less flexible. This makes it harder for blood to flow smoothly through the body. As a result, blood pressure can rise, and the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health problems increases.
Because of this, scientists are very interested in finding simple ways to protect the heart, especially through diet. Professor Malte Kelm from University Hospital Düsseldorf explains that understanding how certain foods affect heart health is becoming more important, particularly as populations age around the world.
Cocoa flavanols are natural compounds found in cacao beans, which are used to make chocolate. These compounds are known for their ability to support blood vessel function and improve circulation.
However, not all chocolate products contain high levels of flavanols. During processing, many of these beneficial compounds are lost, especially in heavily processed chocolate.
In the first study, published in Age, researchers worked with 42 healthy men. Some of the participants were younger than 35, while others were between 50 and 80 years old. The participants drank either a beverage rich in cocoa flavanols or one without flavanols, twice a day for two weeks.
The results showed that cocoa flavanols improved the function of blood vessels in both younger and older participants. This means the blood vessels were better able to relax and expand, which helps blood flow more easily.
In the older group, there was also a drop in systolic blood pressure by about 4 mmHg. Even a small reduction like this can make a meaningful difference in lowering the risk of heart disease.
The second study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, included 100 healthy adults aged between 35 and 60. After taking cocoa flavanols for four weeks, participants experienced several improvements in their heart health.
Blood vessels were able to widen more easily, showing a 21 percent improvement in function. Blood pressure also decreased, with an average reduction of 4.4 mmHg in systolic pressure and 3.9 mmHg in diastolic pressure.
In addition to these changes, levels of LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol, went down, while HDL cholesterol, known as “good” cholesterol, increased. These changes are important because they reduce the buildup of harmful fats in the arteries.
The researchers also used a tool called the Framingham Risk Score to estimate the participants’ risk of developing cardiovascular disease over the next ten years. After the study, the overall risk dropped by 22 percent, and the risk of heart attack fell by 31 percent.
These are significant improvements, especially considering that the participants were already healthy at the start of the study.
Although these findings are encouraging, the researchers caution that the studies were relatively short and involved a small number of people. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects of cocoa flavanols.
Larger studies, such as the COSMOS trial, which is following around 18,000 participants over five years, are currently underway to provide more detailed answers.
Overall, these studies suggest that cocoa flavanols could offer a simple and natural way to support heart health. Including flavanol-rich foods or supplements in the diet may help maintain healthy blood vessels and reduce the risk of heart disease as people age. However, it is important to choose products that are high in flavanols and low in added sugar and fat.
As research continues, cocoa flavanols may become an important part of strategies to keep the heart healthy and reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease worldwide.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
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