Evidence supporting the use of: Flavanols
For the health condition: Alzheimer's Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Flavanols, a subclass of flavonoids found in foods such as cocoa, tea, apples, and berries, have been studied for their potential neuroprotective effects, including their relevance to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Scientific interest stems from their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties, which may address some neurodegenerative processes implicated in AD. Several observational studies and a limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that higher dietary intake of flavanols may be associated with improved cognitive function or slower cognitive decline in aging populations. For example, a 2023 RCT published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that cocoa flavanol supplementation was linked to modest improvements in memory and cognitive performance in older adults, though not specifically in AD patients. Animal studies also indicate that flavanols may reduce amyloid-beta accumulation and improve synaptic function.
However, the evidence directly supporting flavanols as a treatment or preventive measure for Alzheimer's Disease is still preliminary. Most human studies are short-term, have small sample sizes, and often do not specifically include AD patients, but rather individuals at risk or with mild cognitive impairment. There is currently insufficient high-quality, large-scale clinical trial data to recommend flavanol supplementation for AD treatment. Thus, while there is some scientific rationale and early evidence, the overall clinical evidence remains limited and inconclusive.
Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease
2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetylcholine
Agmatine
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
amentoflavone
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
aniracetam
anserine
anthocyanins
apigenin
apocynin
Aronia melanocarpa
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragaloside
avocado
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
Basidiomycota
benfotiamine
berberine
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium longum
bilobalide
black garlic
black seed
black tea
blueberry
brahmi
broccoli
butylphthalide
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
carnosic acid
Carnosine
caryophyllene
catalpol
catechins
centrophenoxine
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
cistanche
citicoline
cocoa
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Convolvulus prostratus
creatine
crocetin
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyanidin
cyclodextrin
cytidine
d-alpha tocopherol
decursin
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrolipoic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Ecklonia
eicosapentaenoic acid
ellagic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
estrogen
fatty acids
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavanols
flavanones
flavans
flavones
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fo-ti
fungus
galantamine
gallate
gallic acid
gamma tocopherol
ganoderma
garcinol
gastrodia
gastrodin
genistein
ginkgetin
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo flavone glycoside
ginkgoheteroside
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
Gypenoside
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
Hericenones
hericium mushroom
hesperetin
hesperidin
Homotaurine
Honokiol
huperzine A
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
icariin
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
isovitexin
Kaempferol
ketone salts
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-serine
L-theanine
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
lutein
luteolin
Lycium
lycopene
magnesium
magnolol
malvidin
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Methoxylated flavones
Methylcobalamin
Monoterpenes
Monounsaturated fat
Morus
Mulberroside A
Mulberry
Myricetin
Myricitrin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
NADH
Naringenin
Naringin
Nervonic acid
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
Norvaline
Oleuropein
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
oyster mushroom
paeoniflorin
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Peptides
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
Phycocyanin
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piperine
Polydatin
Polygala
polygala root
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
pregnenolone
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
S-allylcysteine
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sarcosine
Schisandrins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
selenium
Selenocysteine
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Soy
soy isoflavones
Stilbenoid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Taurine
Taxifolin
terpene lactones
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Tinospora cordifolia
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Trehalose
Tremella
tributyrin
Triterpenes
Tumerone
turmeric
Turmerones
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Uridine
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Walnut
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by flavanols
Alzheimer's DiseaseArteriosclerosis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Hypertension
Inflammation
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Osteoporosis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Varicose Veins
Wrinkles
