Researchers say foods rich in flavanols – such as cocoa products, tea, wine, and various fruits and vegetables – have been shown to offer a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients.

The study, which is published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, included 16 coronary artery disease patients with an average age of 64 who received a high-flavanol cocoa drink (containing 375 mg of flavanols) twice a day over 30 days and then a nutrient-matched low-flavanol cocoa drink (containing 9mg flavanols) twice a day over 30 days.

Scientists found that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure, improve the health of blood vessels and increase the number of circulating blood-vessel-forming cells in patients with heart disease. The improvements, they say, were similar to those achieved by therapy with statins and with lifestyle changes such as exercise and smoking cessation.

"Our data support the concept that dietary flavanols at the levels provided – in tandem with current medical therapy – are safe, improve cardiovascular function, and increase circulating angiogenic cells, which have previously been shown to correlate positively with long-term cardiovascular outcomes," said lead author and cardiologist Yerem Yeghiazarians, M.D.

Flavanols are phytonutrient compounds that are found naturally in apples, grapes, tea, cocoa and cherries, and account for the antioxidant effect provided by red wine and green tea. They are also available in nutritional supplement form.