Flavonoid In Dark Chocolate Improves Exercise Capabilities Of Heart Patients With Diabetes

A clinical study involving five critically ill heart patients with diabetes found that treatment with a flavonoid (epicatechin) contained in dark chocolate improved cell mitochondrial structure and boosted the ability to exercise. Mitochondria are cell structures responsible for energy production. Both type 2 diabetes and heart failure make mitochondria dysfunctional, causing muscle abnormalities. Trial participants ate dark chocolate bars and a beverage with a total epicatechin content of 100 mg a day for three months. The positive results of the small trial provided enough evidence to launch a larger, placebo-controlled clinical trial at UC, San Diego.