Benefits of flavanol-rich cocoa-derived products for mental well-being: A review

Abstract

This review explores the possibility that central actions of flavanol-rich cocoa-derived products are of benefit in the prevention and treatment of mood disorders. Flavanol-rich cocao-derived products have been studied in both neuromolecular and psychological tests. Neuromolecular effects of flavanols in cocoa-derived products include antioxidant, vasodilatory, anticoagulant, and antiinflammatory properties that may serve to counteract depressive brain disorders. Psychological studies in humans have described links between intake of flavanol-rich cocoa-derived products such as dark chocolate and improved mood, while behavioral studies in laboratory animals have reported antidepressant effects of flavanols. It is therefore likely that flavanol-rich cocoa-derived products such as dark chocolate may have beneficial effects as add-on items together with traditional antidepressant regimes.

Keywords

• Mood disorders
• Antidepressant
• Flavanol
• Natural products
• Dark chocolate
• Brain imaging