Tag Archive for 'Flavanols'

Radiologically contaminated sites such as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone have created novel environmental stressors with the potential to substantially influence the ecology of organisms and wider ecosystem function. Nevertheless, radiation dose rates at which negative effects occur are uncertain. Burrows et al investigated a potential mechanism for these sub-lethal consequences by testing whether radiation exposure makes bees less metabolically efficient. Image credit: Josef Pichler.

Bumblebees May Self-Medicate when Their Colony Faces Fungal Pathogen

Aug 27, 2026 by Natali Anderson

In a new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) exposed to a brood-killing fungus shifted...

Consuming high-flavanol foods during sedentary periods may be used alone or in combination with other strategies (e.g. breaking up sitting) to reduce the impact of inactivity on the vascular system. Image credit: Daniele et al., doi: 10.1113/JP289038.

Study: Flavanol-Rich Foods Protect Vascular Health in Men from Harmful Effects of Prolonged Sitting

Nov 3, 2025 by News Staff

Prolonged sitting temporarily impairs vascular function and blood pressure. Dietary strategies during sitting may ameliorate or aggravate the effects of...

Intake of dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Image credit: Sci.News.

Increased Consumption of Dark, But Not Milk, Chocolate Reduces Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Study

Dec 6, 2024 by News Staff

Consumption of at least five servings of dark chocolate a week (one serving is equal to a standard chocolate bar/pack or 1 oz) compared with rare consumption...

Bapir et al. confirm that cocoa can decrease blood pressure and arterial stiffness in everyday life when elevated within the normal range. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Study: Cocoa Only Decreases Blood Pressure When Elevated

Jul 27, 2022 by News Staff

New research led by Professor Christian Heiss from the University of Surrey and NHS Healthcare Trust reduces concerns that cocoa as a treatment for raised...

Sesso et al. examined whether cocoa extract supplementation decreases total cardiovascular disease among older adults. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Cocoa Flavanols May Help Reduce Cardiovascular Risk

Mar 17, 2022 by News Staff

In the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a team of researchers led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital scientists examined whether...

In healthy eyes, photopic visual acuity improved significantly after cocoa flavanols ingestion and showed a non-significant trend to an improvement with red-berries anthocyanins. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Study: Eating Pure Cocoa Improves Visual Acuity in Daylight

Jun 29, 2021 by Natali Anderson

A duo of researchers in Spain has examined the acute effect of compounds found in cocoa and red berries on retinal functions in healthy eyes. In healthy...

Quercetin and DHBA, natural compounds found in apples, are pro-neurogenic. Image credit: Ichwan et al., doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.01.005.

Apples Contain Pro-Neurogenic Compounds in Both Their Peel and Flesh: Study

Feb 18, 2021 by News Staff

Quercetin and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), phytonutrients commonly found in apples, may help stimulate the production of new brain cells, according...

Gratton et al. show that flavanol intake leads to faster and greater brain oxygenation responses to hypercapnia, as well as higher performance only when cognitive demand is high. Image credit: Ally J.

Study: Cocoa Flavanols Can Improve Cognition and Brain Oxygenation

Nov 30, 2020 by News Staff

In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have demonstrated that consumption of cocoa flavanols can improve efficiency in blood...

Flavanols are a large group of flavonoids, which include catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate. They are found in teas, cocoa, fava beans, red wine, and many fruits, particularly in the skins of grapes, apples, and blueberries. Image credit: Marijana.

Flavanol-Rich Diet Could Help Lower Blood Pressure

Oct 22, 2020 by News Staff

Consuming a high-flavanol diet was associated with a significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and was inversely associated with blood...

Cocoa and chocolate are good for your cognition. Image credit: Steve Buissinne.

Cocoa, Chocolate Consumption Enhances Cognitive Abilities and Memory, New Review Finds

Jun 30, 2017 by News Staff

Regular dietary intake of cocoa flavanols — naturally occurring substances found in cacao beans — improves general cognition, attention, processing...

Dietary cocoa flavanols reverse age-related memory decline in healthy older adults. Image credit: © Marion Beraudias.

Cocoa Flavanols Can Reverse Memory Loss in Older Adults

Oct 27, 2014 by News Staff

According to a team of scientists headed by Dr Scott Small of Columbia University, flavanols – naturally occurring bioactives found in the cacao...