Published on: 7/31/2025
What are flavanols and what do they do?
Flavanols are natural compounds found in certain foods that can help improve blood flow and support heart health.
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Explanation
Flavanols are a type of natural compound found in foods like cocoa, tea, and some fruits. They are part of a larger group called flavonoids. Flavanols are known for their potential health benefits, especially for the heart and blood vessels.
Benefits of Flavanols:
- Improved Blood Flow: Flavanols can help make blood vessels wider, which improves blood flow and can lower blood pressure.
- Heart Health: By improving blood flow, flavanols may help protect the heart from diseases.
- Antioxidant Effects: They also have antioxidant properties, which means they help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.
Sources of Flavanols:
- Cocoa and dark chocolate
- Green and black tea
- Some fruits, like apples and grapes
Eating foods rich in flavanols as part of a balanced diet might be beneficial for maintaining good heart health. However, it is always important to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients your body needs.
(References)
- Al-Dashti YA, Holt RR, Stebbins CL, Keen CL, & Hackman RM. (2018). Dietary Flavanols: A Review of Select Effects on Vascular .... Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 29718795.
- Luo Y, Jian Y, Liu Y, Jiang S, Muhammad D, & Wang W. (2022). Flavanols from Nature: A Phytochemistry and Biological .... Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 35163984.
- Grassi D, Desideri G, Croce G, Tiberti S, Aggio A, & Ferri C. (2009). Flavonoids, vascular function and cardiovascular protection. Current pharmaceutical design, 19355949.
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