Evidence supporting the use of: Flavan-3-ols
For the health condition: Fatigue
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Flavan-3-ols are a class of polyphenols found in foods like tea, cocoa, and certain fruits. There is emerging scientific interest in their potential benefits for fatigue, particularly in populations experiencing mild fatigue or reduced energy levels. Some clinical studies have examined the effects of flavan-3-ol-rich foods (such as cocoa or green tea) on subjective feelings of fatigue, physical performance, and cognitive function. The mechanisms proposed include improved endothelial function, enhanced blood flow, and antioxidant effects, which may contribute to reduced feelings of tiredness and better physical endurance.
However, the evidence base supporting flavan-3-ols specifically for treating or managing fatigue remains limited and somewhat inconsistent. Most studies are small, short-term, or conducted in specific populations (e.g., athletes or older adults). A few randomized controlled trials have shown modest improvements in fatigue scores or exercise tolerance after consumption of flavan-3-ol-rich products, but the effects are generally mild and not always statistically significant. Major health organizations do not currently endorse flavan-3-ols as a treatment for fatigue.
In summary, while there is some scientific interest and preliminary evidence suggesting a possible benefit of flavan-3-ols for fatigue, the overall evidence is weak to moderate, and further well-designed studies are needed to confirm these effects and establish clinical relevance.
Other ingredients used for Fatigue
acai berryacetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
adrenal cortex
alfalfa
alpha d-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
aspartic acid
astaxanthin
astragalus
waterhyssop
barley
beet
bergamot
berry flavor
beta-alanine
betel
bifidobacterium breve
black cumin
black garlic
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
Indian frankincense
bovine heart
bovine kidney
bovine liver
bovine spleen
branched-chain amino acids
rice
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
caffeine
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chen pi
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
damiana
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
eleuthero
fennel
fenugreek
fish protein
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fu ling
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
guarana
guayusa
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
iron
knotweed
jujube
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-carnitine
l-cysteine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-tyrosine
l-valine
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
lychee
maca
magnesium
maitake mushroom
malic acid
maltodextrin
mango
mangosteen
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
milk
moringa
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
nettle
nicotinamide riboside
spruce
oat
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
orange
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
oyster mushroom
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
parsley
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
plum fruit
pollen
polygala root
pomegranate
potassium
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protein
prune
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
quercetin
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rosemary
sardines
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
spinach
spirulina
thiamin (vitamin B1)
tongkat ali
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
turkey tail mushroom
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
watercress
watermelon
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
yeast
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
oryza
tangerine
gastrodia
cardamom
atractylodes
nut grass
punarnava
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
silk tree
haliotis
amber
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
lotus seed
morinda
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
dulse leaf
royal jelly
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
fulvic acid
aster root
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
wood betony
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
algae
cocoa
thyroid substance
ashitaba
soursop
sea salt
DMPX
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Aralia
Avens
Arjuna
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Alpha polylactate
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Achyranthes
Anamu
Autumn Olive
Albizia
Arginine orotate
AHCC
Aletris
Adrafinil
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
Alpha lactalbumin
Areca
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Arjunic Acid
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Atractylone
Animal protein
Betony
Black Seed
Broussonetia
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef
Beef liver
Big Quaking Grass
Bone Marrow
Baccosides
Basidiomycota
Black Gram
Bauhinia
Brahmi
Ba Ji Tian
black salt
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
banana
Baobab
BCAA
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Bird's nest
Chia seed
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cowpea
California chia
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Cocarboxylase
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Catalpol
Coriolus mushroom
Codonopsis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cyathula
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cyclanthera pedata
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Cyanotis Vaga
Centella asiatica
Coca
Coconut Water
Chocolate
Chard
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Chicken
Corktree
Chanterelle
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Chestnut
Costus
Cereus
Carthamus
cola nut
Canscora
Currant
Chondrus
DHEA
Dendrobium
Deer Root
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dragon Fruit
Durian
Deer Velvet
Dong Quai
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Dragonhead
Devil's Club
Dolichos
Date
Dulse
D-Ribose
Dextrose
Duckweed
Ephedra
Erythropalum scandens
Eriocitrin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Euryale seed
Ergothioneine
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Euglena gracilis
Ephedrine
European-Five Finger Grass
European Hornbeam
Embelia
Ecklonia
Enokitake
Folic Acid
Finger-Leaf Morning Glory
Flammulina velutipes
glucose
Himalayan Salt
Ketone Salts
Lotus
Little ironweed
Molasses
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
Prickly Pear Cactus
Quinoa Protein
Spikenard
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Wheat
yohimbine
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by flavan-3-ols
Alzheimer's DiseaseArteriosclerosis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (prevention)
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers
Varicose Veins
Wrinkles