The study showed that consuming a cocoa drink rich in flavanols before long periods of sitting maintains the health of blood vessels and prevents their deterioration, regardless of the young person's level of physical fitness.
The study included 24 healthy young adults aged 18 to 34, divided into two groups based on their cardiorespiratory fitness: high and low. Participants underwent a two-hour sitting session after consuming either a high-flavanol cocoa beverage or a low-flavanol placebo beverage, and endothelial function was measured in their arms and legs.
The results showed that prolonged sitting caused a deterioration in vascular function when consuming the placebo drink, while the flavanol-rich cocoa drink maintained perfect vascular health in both limbs, with no effect on fitness level.
The researchers attributed the benefit to the ability of cocoa flavanols to boost the production of nitric oxide, which is responsible for relaxing and widening blood vessels. The study suggests that consuming dark cocoa before prolonged periods of sitting is a practical preventative measure to support cardiovascular health, while emphasizing the importance of physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior for overall health benefits.
The study was published in the Journal of Physiology
