This Main Ingredient In Chocolate Can Improve Walking Performance In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

More than 8.5 million people suffer from peripheral artery disease, which is a major risk factor of stroke and heart attack. PAD is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries carrying blood to organs such as head and limbs. PAD patients can find it painful to walk. But, a new study reported that the main ingredient in chocolate can be good for this serious disease.

Cocoa and epicatechin, which is its major flavanols component, contain therapeutic properties that help improve limb perfusion and increase calf muscle activity in individuals suffering from lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD).

“Few therapies are available for improving walking performance in people with PAD," Science Daily quoted the study’s lead study author and the professor of medicine and preventive medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago- Mary McDermott, M.D.

"In addition to reduced blood flow to the legs, people with peripheral artery disease have been shown to have damaged mitochondria in their calf muscles, perhaps caused by the reduced blood flow. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, converting food to energy. Previous research has shown that better mitochondrial health and activity are associated with better walking performance and improving the health of damaged mitochondria could lead to walking improvements," she added.

Mary M. McDermott and her co-researchers conducted a phase II randomized clinical trial to determine if cocoa consumption for six months improved walking performance in PAD patients compared to placebo. The participants were given a cocoa beverage that contained 15 grams of cocoa and 75 grams of epicatechin on a daily basis. Upon following up for a period of six months, they found that cocoa improved mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity in the calf muscles and increased the capillary density.

The cocoa used in this research is commonly available natural unsweetened cocoa powder enriched with epicatechin. Dark chocolate contains 85% more cocoa compared to white chocolate.

The findings clearly suggested that cocoa contains a therapeutic effect on walking performance in PAD patients. However, additional research is required to definitively determine whether cocoa significantly improves walking performance in PAD patients. If the results are confirmed, cocoa, a relatively cheap, safe and accessible ingredient could significantly improve calf muscle health, walking performance and blood flow in PAD patients.