Consuming cocoa, berries, and other flavanol-rich foods during long periods of sitting may protect blood vessel health. University of Birmingham researchers tested 40 healthy young men who drank either high-flavanol or low-flavanol cocoa before sitting motionless for two hours. All participants who consumed low-flavanol cocoa experienced reduced artery flexibility in arms and legs, regardless of fitness level. However, those drinking high-flavanol cocoa maintained normal arterial elasticity throughout the sitting period. Lead researcher Alessio Daniele noted that apples, plums, berries, nuts, and black and green tea provide readily available flavanol sources. (Story URL)
