Published on: 7/31/2025
Are flavanol supplements effective?
Flavanol supplements, especially from cocoa, may have some health benefits, but their effectiveness in preventing diseases like heart issues or diabetes is still being studied.
What brings you in today?
Explanation
Flavanols are compounds found in cocoa that are thought to have health benefits. According to one study, cocoa flavanols are safe to consume and could be good for healthy adults. Another study looked at whether these flavanols could help prevent diseases, but the results were not clear enough to say for sure.
A third study checked if cocoa flavanols could lower the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. This study also did not find strong evidence that the supplements could prevent diabetes. While cocoa flavanols might be safe and possibly beneficial, more research is needed to understand how effective they are for preventing specific health issues.
(References)
- Ottaviani JI, Balz M, Kimball J, Ensunsa JL, Fong R, Momma TY, et al. (2015). Safety and efficacy of cocoa flavanol intake in healthy adults. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 26537937.
- Sesso HD, Manson JE, Aragaki AK, Rist PM, Johnson LG, Friedenberg G, et al. (2022). Effect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for the prevention .... The American journal of clinical nutrition, 35294962.
- Li J, Sesso HD, Kim E, Manson JE, Friedenberg G, Clar A, et al. (2023). Cocoa Extract Supplementation and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes care, 37816167.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Was this page helpful?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.