The European Health Secret Your Doctor Hasn't Mentioned Yet

Cocoa contains natural compounds called flavanols that research suggests may prevent disease and extend peoples lives.

Flavanols are a subgroup of plant-based natural compounds called flavonoids known for their antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants are great for our health.

An antioxidant is a molecule that neutralizes oxidants, oxidants are unstable atoms that damage cells. Oxidants cause aging, tissue damage, and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.

That's right, let me say that again - Oxidants cause aging, tissue damage, and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Sounds pretty incredible right?

It is important to know, whilst Flavanols are present in tea leaves, berries, apples, grapes and you guessed it - chocolate - not all flavanols can be absorbed easily by the body.

Flavanol absorption depends heavily on their chemical structure, size, and food interactions. Chocolate contains specific flavonoids, 1. epicatechin, 2. catechin, 3. procyanidins and small amounts of 4. quercetin.

Compared to most other foods, chocolate and cocoa products contain an exceptionally high concentration and unique profile of flavanols.

Okay so if Chocolate is a super food. Why am I only hearing about it now? Well it is less popularised in Australia.

The European Commission in 2015 approved a health claim for cocoa flavanols, stating that an intake of 200 mg per day "may contribute to maintenance of vascular elasticity and normal blood flow".

The FDA in 2023 stated: Cocoa flavanols in high flavanol cocoa powder may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

New research in 2025 from the University of Birmingham shows that eating flavanol-rich foods protects vascular health in men from the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.

Dr Sam Lucas, Professor of Cerebrovascular, Exercise & Environmental Physiology at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the Study, stated: “Our experiment indicates that higher fitness levels do not prevent the temporary impairment of vascular function induced by sitting when only drinking low-flavanol cocoa. Importantly, after the high-flavanol drink, both fitter and less-fit participants kept their FMD the same as it was before sitting for two hours.”

Good news, your dreams have come true (well maybe not all of them), but one dream is true - chocolate is good for you.

Invest in your health and satisfy your or your loved ones cravings today.