Evidence supporting the use of: Chocolate
For the health condition: Cardiovascular Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate and cocoa products rich in flavanols, has scientific evidence supporting a modest benefit for cardiovascular health. Multiple epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials have investigated the impact of chocolate on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Cocoa flavanols are known to improve endothelial function, reduce blood pressure, and exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. A 2012 meta-analysis published in the BMJ found that higher chocolate consumption was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Randomized trials, such as those reviewed in a 2017 systematic review in Circulation, have demonstrated that consumption of high-flavanol chocolate can lower blood pressure and improve vascular function in the short term.
However, the overall evidence is not unequivocal. Many studies are observational, raising the possibility of confounding, and the beneficial effects are more pronounced with dark chocolate or high-flavanol cocoa rather than typical processed chocolate products, which may contain high amounts of sugar and fat. The American Heart Association notes that while some benefits are plausible, chocolate should be consumed in moderation due to its calorie density. In summary, there is moderate scientific validation for the use of cocoa flavanols in supporting cardiovascular health, but chocolate is not a primary treatment for cardiovascular disease, and more research is needed to clarify the optimal type and amount for benefit.
Other ingredients used for Cardiovascular Disease
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)acai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
ajoene
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
astaxanthin
astragalus
basil
beet
berry flavor
bilberry
black garlic
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
capsaicinoids
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cryptoxanthin
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethanol
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
krill oil
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-citrulline
l-glycine
l-taurine
lactobacillus reuteri
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
motherwort
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nattokinase
nicotinamide riboside
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
pineapple
plant sterols
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
potassium
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
raspberry
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rutin
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
sterols
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
vitamin K
watermelon
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
gastrodia
capsicum
commiphora
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
yerba mate
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Alcohol
Arjuna
Animal Tissue
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Ardisia
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Adrenergic amines
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Asteracea
Alpha phytosterol
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Acer Truncatum bunge
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Argan nut oil
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Butylphthalide
Bidens pilosa
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Brutieridin
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Betanin
berry
Brazil nut
boysenberry
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
banana
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Chia seed
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Carnosine
Calycosin
Camelina Oil
Cashew
Cyanidin
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Chocolate
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Coumaric acid
Crocetin
Currant
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Delphinidin
Date
Digitalis
Diosmetin
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
Ellagic Acid
Eriocitrin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Ergothioneine
Emblicanin
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Ellagitannin
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Garlic
Glycine
Isoflavones
peanut
Pistachio
Soy Protein
walnut
Zucchini