Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (notably epicatechin) and small amounts of caffeine and theobromine, which have been investigated for their potential effects on mitochondrial function. Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) suggest that flavonoids can enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, improve mitochondrial efficiency, and reduce oxidative stress within mitochondria. Some research indicates that epicatechin may activate signaling pathways (e.g., PGC-1α, SIRT1) involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function. However, the majority of these findings come from laboratory models or animal studies, with limited direct evidence in humans.

Human clinical trials examining the effects of chocolate or cocoa flavonoids specifically on mitochondrial health are sparse. Some studies show improved endothelial function, reduced inflammation, and enhanced exercise performance, which may be indirectly related to improved mitochondrial function, but these endpoints do not directly measure mitochondrial health. Additionally, the sugar and fat content of most commercial chocolate can offset potential health benefits if consumed in excess. Overall, while there is emerging scientific interest and some mechanistic evidence supporting a possible role of chocolate compounds in supporting mitochondrial function, the evidence in humans remains preliminary and limited.

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Other ingredients that support Mitochondria

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Aminoimidazole-4-Carboxamide Ribonucleotide
7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algae
Alpha polylactate
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
animal protein
apigenin
ashitaba
ashwagandha
Beef liver
berry
beta-hydroxybutyrate
black ginger
bovine liver
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
cardiolipin
catechins
centrophenoxine
chocolate
cistanche
citicoline
cocarboxylase
Coenzyme A
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
copper
creatine
creatine monohydrate
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
D-Ribose
dihydrolipoic acid
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
eriocitrin
fatty acids
fisetin
fish
fish oil
flavin mononucleotide
flavones
flavonols
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fucoxanthin
fulvic acid
fungus
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
geranylgeraniol
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutathione
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
goji berry
gooseberry
grape
greens blend (proprietary)
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
Haematococcus pluvialis
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
Honokiol
Idebenone
inosine
Kaempferide
Kaempferol
ketone salts
knotweed
krill oil
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-citrulline
L-glutathione
L-glycine
L-taurine
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lingzhi
linoleic acid (LA)
lipids
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
magnesium
maitake mushroom
malic acid
manganese
maqui berry
Marine fat
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Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
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Methylxanthine
Moringa
Mushroom
Myricetin
NADH
Nannochloropsis
Naringenin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
Oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine
oxaloacetic acid
oxidase
pantethine
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
paraxanthine
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylethanolamine
Phosphocreatine
Phytoplankton
Polydatin
polyphenols
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
pyruvate
quercetin
quinoa
quinone
resveratrol
Rhodiola
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
ribose
Ribose-l-cysteine
Rosarin
rosavins
rosemary
Salidroside
Schisandrins
selenium
Selenocysteine
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spinach
Stilbenoid
strawberry
succinic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Taxifolin
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Thiamin (vitamin B1)
thyroid substance
tocotrienols
trace minerals
Trans-geranylgeraniol
Trans-pterostilbene
Triacetyluridine
tributyrin
Turkey tail mushroom
ubiquinol
Uridine
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin B
vitamin D3
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Other body systems supported by chocolate

Arteries
Blood
Brain
Circulatory System
Dopamine
Heart
Mitochondria
Nerves
Serotonin
Skin
Specific Neurotransmitters

Products containing chocolate

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.