Cocoa and heart and blood vessel health
What it found
Regular intake of plant foods and drinks is linked to lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, and cocoa may be an important part of that.
Cocoa has shown beneficial effects on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and blood vessel and platelet function.
What they found
Studies in people
Heart disease and stroke
People who regularly eat plant-derived foods and drinks have a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Cocoa might be an important mediator among many ingredients.
Studies in people and animals
Blood pressure and insulin
Recent research shows a beneficial effect of cocoa on blood pressure and insulin resistance.
Blood vessels and platelets
Cocoa also has a beneficial effect on vascular and platelet function.
Other findings
How cocoa might work
Potential mechanisms include activation of nitric oxide and antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. These are still debated.
What the authors conclude
- They summarize the available data on the cardiovascular effects of cocoa.
- They outline potential mechanisms involved in the response to cocoa.
- They highlight the potential clinical implications associated with its consumption.
How it was done
Epidemiological data show that regular dietary intake of plant-derived foods and beverages reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Among many ingredients, cocoa might be an important mediator.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of existing research, not a new study in people.
- It cannot show that cocoa itself causes the lower risk of heart disease and stroke seen in people who eat plant foods.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University Hospital, Switzerland
The paper
- Title
- Cocoa and cardiovascular health
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Corti R, Flammer AJ, Hollenberg NK, Lüscher TF (2009). Cocoa and cardiovascular health. Circulation. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.827022PubMed 19289648DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error