Evidence supporting the use of: Chocolate liquor
For the body system: Arteries
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Chocolate liquor, the pure paste of ground cocoa beans, contains bioactive compounds such as flavanols (notably epicatechin and catechin) that have been studied for cardiovascular benefits. Scientific evidence, though moderate in strength, suggests that cocoa flavanols can support arterial health by improving endothelial function, enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability, and reducing markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have found that consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa products can lead to short-term improvements in flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of arterial elasticity. Some studies also report modest reductions in blood pressure. However, the effects are more pronounced with high-flavanol cocoa rather than processed chocolate products, which may be high in sugar and fat. It is important to note that chocolate liquor itself is used as a raw ingredient and is not commonly consumed directly, but its key constituents—cocoa flavanols—are responsible for the observed vascular benefits. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recognized a cause-and-effect relationship between cocoa flavanols and maintenance of normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Nonetheless, the overall evidence is limited by variability in flavanol content, differences in study designs, and short intervention durations. Therefore, while there is scientific support for the use of chocolate liquor (via its flavanol content) in supporting arterial function, the evidence is moderate and best applied to high-flavanol cocoa products rather than all chocolate products.
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black tea
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brussel sprouts
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