Dr. Greger: Cocoa for Muscle & Mitochondrial Function - Fact or Fiction?
Physionic
May 22, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Incorporate cocoa to lower cholesterol and improve heart health
Beyond muscle function, studies show natural cocoa powder can also cause modest reductions in blood triglycerides, blood sugar, and LDL cholesterol.
Consider participant differences to interpret cocoa study results
Conflicting study results on cocoa's benefits may be explained by major differences in the participants, such as having type 2 diabetes versus peripheral artery disease.
Evaluate cocoa's mixed impact on mitochondrial function
Contrary to strong claims, studies show mixed results on whether cocoa improves mitochondrial function, with some markers improving while others show no effect.
Choose natural cocoa powder for muscle and strength benefits
To get the muscle and strength benefits, use natural cocoa powder, as the alkalized or 'dutched' versions have the beneficial flavonoids removed.
Utilize small cocoa doses for health benefits
A study showing benefits used only 5 grams of cocoa powder per day, not the 22 grams of the total mixture that was consumed.
Consider biopsy location to ensure accurate muscle results
Scientific findings can differ based on where a muscle biopsy is taken, for example, from the quadricep versus the calf muscle.
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