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Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Background

Cocoa flavanols (CFs) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and can improve vascular function. It has recently been suggested that CF intake may improve exercise performance and recovery. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the literature on the effects of CF intake on exercise performance and recovery and exercise-induced changes in vascular function, cognitive function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic parameters.

Methods

Two electronic databases (Pubmed and Web of Science) were searched for studies examining the combination of CF intake and exercise in humans (up to 28 March 2017). Articles were included if the exact amount of CFs was mentioned. The methodological quality and level of bias of the 13 included studies was assessed according to the checklist for randomized controlled trials from the Dutch Cochrane center.

Results

Acute, sub-chronic (2 weeks) and chronic (3 months) CF intake reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress. Evidence on the effect of CF on exercise-induced inflammation and platelet activation was scarce. Acute CF intake reduced and tempered the exercise-induced increase in blood pressure in obese participants. Acute and sub-chronic CF intake altered fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Acute and sub-chronic CF intake did not have ergogenic effects in athletes, while chronic CF intake improved mitochondrial efficiency in untrained participants. While combining sub-chronic CF intake and exercise training improved cardiovascular risk factors and vascular function, evidence on the synergistic effects of CF and exercise training on oxidative stress, inflammation, and fat and glucose metabolism was lacking.

Conclusion

CF intake may improve vascular function, reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, and alter fat and carbohydrate utilization during exercise, but without affecting exercise performance. There is a strong need for future studies examining the synergetic effect of chronic CF intake and exercise training.

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Fig. 1

Adapted version of the recommendations in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) statement [34]

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Physiology Research Group, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Lieselot Decroix & Romain Meeusen

  2. Department of Physical Education, University of Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Campus-Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Danusa Dias Soares

  3. Multi-disciplinary Research Unit of Sport, Health and Society (URePSSS), University of Lille, Artois, Littoral Cote d’Opale, EA 7369-URePSSS, EURASPORT, 413 rue Eugène Avinée, 59120, Loos, France

    Elsa Heyman

  4. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiteit Gent, Campus Heymans (UZ Gent), Building B3-De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Cajsa Tonoli

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  1. Lieselot Decroix
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  2. Danusa Dias Soares
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Correspondence to Romain Meeusen.

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Funding

Lieselot Decroix has a PhD grant sponsored by “Nationale Loterij” Belgium.

Conflict of interest

Lieselot Decroix, Danusa Dias Soares, Romain Meeusen, Elsa Heyman, and Cajsa Tonoli declare no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Lieselot Decroix, Danusa Dias Soares, Romain Meeusen, Elsa Heyman, and Cajsa Tonoli declare that this systematic review complies with all ethical standards.

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Decroix, L., Soares, D.D., Meeusen, R. et al. Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 48, 867–892 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1

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