Cocoa Flavanols have extraordinary cardio benefits
Recent data from Harvard, Columbia, and other research institutions shows that cocoa flavanols have extraordinary cardio benefits and have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death by 27%, and up to 39% in participants consuming cocoa flavanols at least 22 days per month! There was a 24% reduction in major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) among study participants consuming cocoa flavanols daily. 1
Additionally, numerous controlled studies of cocoa flavanols show meaningful reductions in both blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), while simultaneously raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
Flavanols are a type of plant nutrient that are particularly abundant in cacao beans. Fermenting, drying, and roasting cacao beans yields cocoa powder, which is used to make chocolate.
New Guidelines for improved cardiometabolic health
New guidelines based on 157 controlled studies recommend consuming 400 to 600mg of flavanols daily for improved cardiometabolic health, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Lower Blood Sugar: Studies showed that cocoa flavanols lower blood sugar and improve insulin resistance in people without diabetes with an average reduction in glucose levels of over 10%, and an average improvement in insulin resistance of nearly 40%!
Improve Circulation: Cocoa flavanols increase nitric oxide production which helps keep arteries open, elastic, and healthy, for better blood flow. Researchers also suggested that flavanols specifically increase blood flow to the brain’s frontal cortex, improving brain function. 2
References:
1. “Effect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease events: the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial”, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN), Retrieved 2 Febrary 2023 <https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/115/6/1490/6548186>.
2. “Dietary flavanols improve cerebral cortical oxygenation and cognition in healthy adults”, PubMed.gov, Retrieved 2 February 2023 < https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33235219/>.
Marsha Fenwick, C.N.P. R.R.T.
Marsha is not your typical nutritionist. She began her career 20 years ago as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Later, she earned her certifications as a Registered Nutritional Consultant Practitioner, Certified Nutritional Practitioner, and Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner. Marsha is also a Certified Cancer Coach. Her clinical practice specializes in: sustainable healthy weight loss, digestive health, women's hormones, diabetes, heart health, and cancer prevention and recovery. For more information and to book a FREE 15 minute consultation go to www.marshafenwicknutrition.com
