Hormonal
Consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa (approx. 821 mg flavanols/day) induces vasodilation via nitric oxide (NO) system activation, providing a mechanism for protection against coronary events.
To potentially support vascular health, consider consuming cocoa products specifically rich in flavanols (around 800mg/day of flavanols). This amount is significantly higher than typical milk chocolate and may require high-cocoa dark chocolate or specific supplements. The benefit comes from stimulating nitric oxide production, which helps blood vessels dilate.
In healthy human subjects, the ingestion of flavanol-rich cocoa (821 mg of flavanols/day, quantitated as (−)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, and related procyanidin oligomers) induces vasodilatation via activation of the NO system, providing a plausible mechanism for the protection that flavanol-rich foods induce against coronary events [102].
Why this rating
The paper cites human intervention studies but notes that many in vitro studies lack physiological significance due to high doses; the specific cocoa study is cited as providing a 'plausible mechanism'.
Source
Flavanols and Anthocyanins in Cardiovascular Health: A Review of Current Evidence
Sonia de Pascual‐Teresa et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2010
DOI 10.3390/ijms11041679
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