---
title: "Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review"
description: "Cocoa flavanols may help with exercise-induced oxidative stress and metabolism, but don't seem to boost athletic performance directly."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29299877.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29299877.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29299877.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d29299877"
journal: "Sports Med"
year: 2018
pmid: "29299877"
doi: "10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Sports Med |
| Year | 2018 |
| PMID | [29299877](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29299877/) |
| DOI | [10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1) |
| Study key | d29299877 |

## Takeaway

Cocoa flavanols may help with exercise-induced oxidative stress and metabolism, but don't seem to boost athletic performance directly.

## The question

What are the effects of cocoa flavanol (CF) intake on exercise performance, recovery, and exercise-induced changes in vascular function, cognitive function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic parameters?

## Hypothesis

It has been suggested that cocoa flavanol intake may improve exercise performance and recovery due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular function-improving capacities.

## Methods

A systematic review was conducted by searching two electronic databases (Pubmed and Web of Science) for human studies combining CF intake and exercise up to March 28, 2017. Studies were included if the exact amount of CFs was specified. The methodological quality and bias of the 13 included studies were assessed using the Dutch Cochrane center's checklist for randomized controlled trials.

## Results

Acute, sub-chronic (2 weeks), and chronic (3 months) CF intake reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress. Acute CF intake reduced and tempered exercise-induced blood pressure increases in obese participants. Acute and sub-chronic CF intake altered fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Acute and sub-chronic CF intake did not show ergogenic effects in athletes, but chronic CF intake improved mitochondrial efficiency in untrained participants. Combining sub-chronic CF intake and exercise training improved cardiovascular risk factors and vascular function.

## Conclusion

Cocoa flavanol intake may improve vascular function, reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, and alter fat and carbohydrate utilization during exercise, but it does not appear to affect exercise performance. Evidence regarding CF's effects on exercise-induced inflammation, platelet activation, and synergistic effects with exercise training on oxidative stress, inflammation, and fat/glucose metabolism is limited.

## Limitations

The review found scarce evidence on the effect of CF on exercise-induced inflammation and platelet activation. There was also a lack of evidence on the synergistic effects of CF and exercise training on oxidative stress, inflammation, and fat and glucose metabolism.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> Cocoa flavanols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and can improve vascular function

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cocoa Flavanol Extract | Moderate evidence | [Cocoa Flavanol Extract](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/116.md) |

## Reference

1. **Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review**
   Sports Med 2018 · [PMID 29299877](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29299877/) · [DOI 10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1)

   > Cocoa flavanols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and can improve vascular function

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Cocoa Flavanol Extract](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/116.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: vascular flavanols, cognition](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s116.md)
- [Dietary flavanols improve cerebral cortical oxygenation and cognition in healthy adults](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33235219.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).