antioxidant · for high blood pressure
Cocoa Flavanols
Helps blood vessels relax and open, which eases the pressure inside them.
Say that in clinical terms
Cocoa flavanols increase nitric oxide bioavailability in blood vessels, improving endothelial function and vessel relaxation.
How strong is the research?
Solid evidence
Only one study
1 paper read, 1 supporting.
Tested as: cocoa flavanols in dark chocolate or a cocoa beverage, 30-1218 mg/day (average ~670 mg), for 2-18 weeks; NOT total cocoa or chocolate mass — most chocolate products contain far below the effective dose
How much to take
200–900 mg