Scientists have found that cocoa powder, which is rich in flavanols, can play a significant role in strengthening artery health, according to New Atlas.
In a recently published study, researchers analyzed the effect of high-flavanol cocoa on arterial function in adult volunteers. It turned out that regular consumption of this product contributed to improved elasticity of the arterial walls — a key indicator of cardiovascular stability.
According to the study’s authors, adding a product with a high content of cocoa flavanols can be considered one of the additional methods of preventing vascular and heart disease. In particular, flavanols stimulate the release of nitric oxide, a substance that dilates blood vessels and reduces arterial resistance.
“Our work shows that intervention with a natural food component, cocoa flavanols, can improve vascular function in adults without significant cardiovascular disease,” said the lead author of the study.
However, the researchers emphasize that this approach does not replace clinical therapy, but serves only as a complementary measure along with proper nutrition, physical activity, and avoiding harmful habits.
It was previously known that dark chocolate containing cocoa with a high percentage of flavanols is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events. The new data confirm the mechanism of this effect and pave the way for the development of functional foods based on cocoa flavanols.
Cocoa futures prices have fallen to 20-month lows, dropping by about half compared to recent peaks.
The most active cocoa bean futures contract in New York fell to $6,150 per tonne during the session. Last December, the contract traded above $12,000.
In London, cocoa futures are trading at £4,262 ($5,713) per ton, down 58% from the multi-year highs seen last April.
The decline in cocoa prices was the result of a reduction in consumer demand, which, in turn, was caused by a sharp increase in prices in recent years, the Financial Times writes, citing analysts. In addition, experts expect a good harvest of cocoa beans in the largest producing countries located in West Africa.
“Prices rose to crazy heights and could not remain at such levels for long,” said Rabobank analyst Oran van Dort. “Quotations have been falling for most of this year, but a particularly pronounced downward trend has been observed since mid-August.”
