Flavanols are beneficial for the body plant chemicals (AKA phytochemicals or phytonutrients) that belong to the wider group of chemicals known as bioflavonoids, or flavonoids. They benefit the body not only through their antioxidant function but through other biochemical routes as well, including stimulation of the liver's detoxification function (due to Phase II detoxification enzyme secretion), blood vessel dilation (due to nitric oxide synthase activation) and direct cancer cell inhibition.

Flavanols are mainly found in cocoa and green tea, and the focus of this study was to assess how effective dietary flavanols from cocoa are in improving vascular function of medicated diabetic patients. Given the high mortality of diabetic patients due to cardiovascular disease and the fact the flavanols were already known to be associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, such a study was warranted and indeed, long overdue.

This randomized and double-blind study assessed the changes in vascular function of 41 medicated diabetic patients produced after 30 days of dietary intervention with either flavanol-rich cocoa (963 mg flavanols per day) or a nutrient-matched control (25 mg flavanols per dose).

The results were pretty amazing: a single dose of flavanol-containing cocoa induced an immediate, highly significant 49% improvement in artery elasticity in just two hours. After 30 days, the patients had 30% more elastic arteries even before taking their daily dose, and in addition continued to benefit from a ~49% improvement after taking their daily "cocoa fix"!

The researchers found that the treatment was well tolerated without evidence of tolerance (tachyphylaxia) and without adverse effects on blood pressure, heart rate and glycemic control.

Good news for fluid retention and cellulite sufferers

Cocoa flavanols, and indeed most other flavonoids from green tea, coffee, red wine, berry fruits etc., seem to have a protective role for many systems of the body due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, blood vessel protecting and skin firmness enhancing properties. Therefore, cocoa seems to not just benefit the health of diabetes patients, but also the health and appearance of just about everyone.

Water retention in particular is aggravated by blood vessel degeneration. By playing a protective role in blood vessel function and integrity, cocoa flavanols (as well as several other flavonoids) can help improve or prevent fluid retention. In addition, cellulite, a health and aesthetic condition that is severely aggravated by fluid retention, inflammation and skin looseness, can also be improved / prevented, partially at least, with regular ingestion of flavonoid-rich foods, including cocoa, decaffeinated coffee and green tea.