Can it protect you even after sitting for two hours? ─ "Cocoa Flavanols" Prevented the Decline in Vascular Function

Can it protect you even after sitting for two hours? ─ "Cocoa Flavanols" Prevented the Decline in Vascular Function

2025年11月03日 00:36

The Reason Behind the Unusual Combination of "Too Much Sitting" and Cocoa

Prolonged sitting is believed to lead to reduced blood flow and a temporary decline in the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract (endothelial function), thereby increasing cardiovascular risk. A research team from the University of Birmingham in the UK investigated whether polyphenols called "flavanols" could alleviate this "vascular stress from sitting." The results were published in The Journal of Physiology. The university's official release, published on the same day, reported it as the "first evidence of preventing sitting-induced vascular dysfunction in young, healthy men."physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com


Key Points of the Study Design

  • Subjects: 40 healthy men aged 18–45 (stratified into high and low fitness groups)

  • Intervention: Consumption of **high-flavanol cocoa (about 695mg) or low-flavanol cocoa (about 5.6mg)** just before 2 hours of sitting

  • Primary Evaluation: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the arms and legs, blood pressure, muscle oxygenation, etc.

  • Summary of Results: In the high-flavanol group, there was no decline in FMD even after 2 hours of continuous sitting, while in the control group, a decline in FMD, an increase in diastolic blood pressure, and a decrease in blood flow and shear stress were observed. Even individuals with high fitness levels could not completely offset the adverse effects of sitting, demonstrating the "overwriting effect" of flavanols.The Times


Does This Align with Previous Findings?

Flavanols are thought to enhance endothelial responsiveness through the activation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and antioxidant effects. Other studies have reported that high-flavanol cocoa can mitigate stress-induced FMD decline. The results in this "sitting stress" model align with the context of short-term vascular protection by flavanols.BIOENGINEER.ORG


Answering "Is Eating Chocolate Okay?" in Advance

First, it is important to emphasize that chocolate does not equal high flavanol. The alkali processing (Dutch process) of cocoa significantly reduces flavanols, and products high in sugar and fat are common. The study used a standardized high-flavanol beverage, which cannot be equated with consuming commercial chocolate.pubs.acs.org


Additionally, this study was conducted under specific conditions: **young men/2 hours of sitting/surrogate markers (FMD)**. It has not been tested whether the same effects persist in women, the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions, or with longer durations of sitting. Long-term outcomes (such as a reduction in heart attacks or strokes) cannot be stated at this time.birmingham.ac.uk


Visualizing SNS Reactions

 


This topic spread through SNS posts by media outlets worldwide. Reactions were broadly divided into three types.

  1. Optimists: Welcoming mood with comments like "Hot cocoa before meetings is justified!" (Numerous shares of news site and university posts on X/Facebook).X (formerly Twitter)

  2. Skeptics: Cool-headed points such as "Subjects were only men," "2 hours is not realistic," and "Chocolate-promoting headlines are misleading." Overseas media also caution **"It's flavanols, not chocolate."**Newsweek

  3. Pragmatists: Comments like "It's a viable second-best option when you can't move, but standing and walking come first" (Comments on health media's Facebook posts).next best optionstanding and walkingfacebook.com

This topic also became a discussion on Reddit's science board, with notable debates on experimental settings and generalizability (the board is known for lengthy discussions).Reddit


Implementation Guide: How to Engage with "Sitting × Flavanols" Starting Tomorrow

  • Prioritize Behavioral Interventions: Stand up every 30–60 minutes and activate the calf pump (e.g., calf raises, walking for a few minutes). The risk of prolonged sitting itself is emphasized in other large-scale studies.EatingWell

  • If Drinking, Be Mindful of "High-Flavanol Standards": Check ingredient labels for mentions like "high flavanol" or "non-alkali processed (natural cocoa)." The long-term safety of supplements and standardized products is generally good, but excessive intake is meaningless.sciencedirect.com

  • Keep Sweetness in Check: Excess sugar and fat are counterproductive. Rotate with unsweetened cocoa + milk (or plant milk) or other flavanol sources like tea, berries, apples, etc.other flavanol sourcesbirmingham.ac.uk

  • Setting Expectations: This study examines acute effects. Long-term disease prevention requires separate evidence. It is essential to simultaneously improve sleep, diet, and exercise as the standard approach. (Suggestions for related long-term interventions are emerging but not yet confirmed.)Verywell Health


Unanswered Questions from the Study

  • Subject Expansion: Extrapolation to women, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions

  • Time Frame: 2 hours → 4–8 hours, repeated sitting, real-world conditions of remote work

  • Dosage and Timing: Determining the best time and amount to consume, and interactions with mealshow many mgwhen

  • Real-World Products: Correlation between measured flavanol content in commercial cocoa products and their effects


Conclusion

"Sitting continuously dulls the blood vessels"—this is an undeniable reality. However, the nutritional card of high flavanols can potentially serve as a "breakwater" to protect vascular function against short-term sitting stress. For implementation without misunderstanding, (1) move first, (2) if you can't move, use flavanols wisely. It is important to correctly assess the scope of science without being swayed by headline impact.birmingham.ac.uk


References (Main Sources)

  • University of Birmingham Press Release (2025/10/29) / Announcement in The Journal of Physiology.birmingham.ac.uk

  • Peer-Reviewed Article: The Journal of Physiology (DOI:10.1113/JP289038).physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

  • Secondary Reports: New Atlas, Newsweek, The Times (Summary).New Atlas

  • Related Study (Cocoa on Stress-Induced FMD): Food & Function (2024).RSC Publishing

  • Large-Scale Data on Prolonged Sitting and Cardiovascular Risk: JACC Series Summary Article.EatingWell

  • Flavanol Safety Review, Reduction in Processing.sciencedirect.com


Reference Article

"Cheap Drink Prevents Sitting Dangers More Effectively Than Exercise"
Source: https://www.dailymail.co

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