Improving artery health through cocoa consumption
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing symptoms such as frequent cramps in calf muscles, weaker legs, and difficulty walking as far as before [1]. Now, a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Mary McDermott of Northwestern University may offer a new treatment option for those suffering from PAD.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggests that cocoa, rich in a compound called epicatechin, could potentially improve walking ability in people with PAD [2]. Participants in the study were randomly assigned to drink milk or water mixed with 15g of cocoa and 75mg of epicatechin, three times a day for six months. Those who consumed cocoa showed a significant improvement in their walking ability, while those who did not drink cocoa showed a decline in their walking distance.
Dr. Naomi Hamburg, chair of the American Heart Association's Peripheral Vascular Disease Council, commented that this early study suggests cocoa may turn out to be a new way to treat people with PAD [3]. The epicatechin found in cocoa provides several cardiovascular benefits relevant to PAD, including improving vascular function, lowering blood pressure, and reducing insulin resistance [2].
Improved vascular function is crucial in PAD, where narrowed arteries limit blood supply to limbs. Studies indicate that daily intake of cocoa flavanols with epicatechin doses above 50 mg can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure [2]. Lower blood pressure reduces the strain on peripheral arteries and can slow PAD progression.
Cocoa intake was also associated with improved insulin resistance, which is important because insulin resistance and diabetes are risk factors for PAD. Managing these conditions well would be paramount to avoid developing PAD [4].
While direct clinical trials specifically studying epicatechin supplementation in PAD patients would be ideal to confirm these benefits explicitly for this condition, the early results are promising.
In addition to dietary changes, exercise plays a crucial role in preventing and managing PAD. Dr. Mark Wiley advises that tai chi is effective against the hardening of the arteries and is a reasonable exercise for anyone with restricted movement [5]. A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet plentiful in fruits and vegetables, such as a Mediterranean-style diet or a DASH diet, is also recommended to avoid developing PAD or worsening symptoms [6].
Preventing PAD is a matter of keeping arteries healthy, flexible, and clear of plaque, which comes down to diet and exercise. By making these lifestyle changes and potentially incorporating cocoa into their diets, those with PAD may find relief from their symptoms and improved quality of life.
References:
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Peripheral artery disease (PAD) symptoms. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20355853
[2] McDermott, M. M., et al. (2021). Epicatechin improves walking ability in patients with peripheral artery disease: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Heart Association. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.019140
[3] American Heart Association. (2021). Cocoa may help people with peripheral artery disease walk further. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/08/cocoa-may-help-people-with-peripheral-artery-disease-walk-further
[4] Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/peripheral-artery-disease-pad
[5] Wiley, M. (2019). Tai chi may help prevent hardening of the arteries. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/tai-chi-may-help-prevent-hardening-of-the-arteries
[6] American Heart Association. (2021). Peripheral artery disease (PAD) prevention. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/prevention-and-treatment/peripheral-artery-disease-pad-prevention
