Posts By: Alan Frost

Sports Dietitian Matt Darnell (EXOS/Pittsburgh Steelers) speaks about Flavanols and Exercise Performance

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Listen to top Sports Dietitian Matt Darnell answer these questions about leveraging cocoa flavanols among NFL players and how to boost your personal exercise performance (from the Intelligent Medicine Show with Dr. Ronald Hoffman). Matt is the Director of Sports Science at EXOS and previously the Dietitian for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Question 1: Are cocoa… Read more »

FlavaFan Lisa Bentley, 11 time Ironman Champion, speaks to Dr. Ronald Hoffman about The Power of Positive Thinking and Flavanols!

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World-class triathletes like Lisa Bentley contend with extreme fatigue, injuries and self-doubt. But few face the remarkable challenge of also overcoming cystic fibrosis, an often-fatal disease that can produce severe breathing issues. Lisa leveraged the power of positive thinking and intense determination to become one of the world’s top ironman triathletes!  Please enjoy this recording of Lisa… Read more »

FDA Recognizes Cardiovascular Benefits of Cocoa Flavanols!

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Exciting News, Flava Fans! On Feb. 3rd, 2023 the FDA approved a qualified health claim stating that “Cocoa Flavanols in High Flavanol Cocoa Powder May Reduce Cardiovascular Disease”.  The approved health claim is based on a 2018 filing stating that 200mg of cocoa flavanols can support heart health.  The FDA approved the claim but noted that… Read more »

Cocoa Flavanols are a Heart’s Best Friend

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February is American Heart Month so what better time to explore the extraordinary cardiovascular benefits of cocoa flavanols. Can you think of another nutrient, supplement or drug shown to reduce cardiovascular death by over 25% while also supporting exercise performance? Here is a look at five compelling cardio benefits of cocoa flavanols: 1. Decrease Risk… Read more »

5 Key Takeaways from New Flavanol Guidelines!

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Here are five important takeaways from the new U.S. dietary guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, published in Advances in Nutrition: 400 to 600mg of flavanols, daily, are recommended for improved cardio metabolic health outcomes, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.  27% reduction in cardiovascular death observed in the COSMOS cocoa… Read more »

Cocoa Flavanols May Boost Stem Cells

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Did you know that cocoa flavanols have been shown to markedly increase circulating stem cells?   Stem cells are the body’s raw materials – cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. William W. Li MD writes in his book “Eat to Beat Disease,” “Your immune cells are regenerated every seven days, so if… Read more »

New Food Guidelines Call for 400-600mg of Flavanols Daily

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Big news! New dietary guidelines issued by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend consuming 400 to 600 mg/day of flavanols to improve cardiometabolic health! “Increasing consumption of dietary flavanols may help improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar,” manuscript authors wrote. “A continuously growing body of research demonstrates higher consumption may reduce the… Read more »

New Study Review Suggests Cocoa Flavanols Promote Cognition

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A recent systematic review of 19 studies concluded “cocoa flavanols may be a promising tool for managing cognitive decline”. Many of us have celebrated individual studies from Columbia and other research centers showing cognitive benefits with daily cocoa flavanol consumption.  But, of course, there have been a few negative trials as well; particularly those studying… Read more »

Cocoa Flavanols Support Your Exercise Routine!

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Did you know your arteries and vessels expand every time you climb a flight of stairs, go for a run or grab a workout? And did you know cocoa flavanols increase your artery flexibility to support the delivery of incremental oxygen and nutrients during physical exertion? OK, lets unpack this a bit further. The process… Read more »