Exciting new research shows that 1,000mg of cocoa flavanols daily boosts VO₂ max by an impressive 12%! VO₂ max (short for maximal oxygen uptake) is the single most important indicator of aerobic fitness and longevity.
Key Study Findings
After just one month of consuming 1,000 mg of cocoa flavanol daily, participants:
- Improved VO₂ max by 12%!
- Boosted artery flexibility by 30%!
- Increased exercise capacity by 10 watts!
- Lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 5 and 3 mmHg, respectively!
In short, cocoa flavanols helped hearts pump stronger and blood flow more smoothly!
Why VO₂ max Matters!
Health and longevity experts generally consider VO₂ max to be the number one determinant of life expectancy and aerobic fitness. In fact, a groundbreaking study of 122,000 people (by Mandsager et al) showed that participants in the top 25% for VO₂ max score have an incredible 4X less chance of dying over a ten-year period than participants in the bottom 25%!
VO₂ max is also used by professional endurance athletes (e.g. triathletes, runners, cyclists) to monitor overall fitness and training progress.
About the Study:
German researchers conducted a gold-standard clinical trial, with 68 healthy women and men, designed to measure the impact of cocoa flavanols daily on VO₂ max. The study was placebo controlled and published in Food & Function.
How Much Cocoa and How Often?
Study participants consumed 1,000 mg of cocoa flavanols daily, the equivalent of about 1 heaping scoop of FlavaMix performance cocoa powder, or 2 portions of FlavaBar dark chocolate, or…10 servings of standard dark chocolate!
The Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a simple, delicious way to boost fitness, health and longevity, the science is strong — 1,000mg of cocoa flavanols daily can help!