Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

High-Flavanol Cocoa Protects Vascular Health During Prolonged Sitting

11/5/2025

48 11

Summary

Story summary

A study in the Journal of Physiology found that 40 young men who drank a high-flavanol cocoa beverage before two hours of sitting preserved vascular function.
In contrast, those who consumed a low-flavanol drink did not maintain vascular function.
Prolonged sitting can impair vascular health and increase cardiovascular disease risk.
Researchers suggest adding high-flavanol foods like cocoa to diets to mitigate these effects, regardless of fitness.

1 of 1

Story summary

A study in the Journal of Physiology found that 40 young men who drank a high-flavanol cocoa beverage before two hours of sitting preserved vascular function.
In contrast, those who consumed a low-flavanol drink did not maintain vascular function.
Prolonged sitting can impair vascular health and increase cardiovascular disease risk.
Researchers suggest adding high-flavanol foods like cocoa to diets to mitigate these effects, regardless of fitness.