Dietary flavanols preserve upper-and lower-limb endothelial function during sitting in high-and low-fit young healthy males

Q: What was the main question of this study?

Whether consuming dietary flavanols before 2 hours of uninterrupted sitting preserves upper- and lower-limb endothelial function in high- and low-fit young healthy males.

Q: How were vascular outcomes measured?

Primary outcome was superficial femoral artery flow-mediated dilatation (SFA FMD), with secondary outcomes including brachial artery FMD, resting shear rate, blood flow, and blood pressure assessed before and after sitting.

Q: Did flavanols affect blood pressure or microvascular function?

High-flavanol intake prevented FMD declines in both arteries, with no effects on blood pressure. Sitting reduced microvascular and tissue oxygenation measures, with no effects of the flavanols.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Sedentary behaviour is widespread, and prolonged uninterrupted sitting can diminish endothelial function while increasing cardiovascular risk. This acute randomised, counterbalanced, double-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled study tested whether dietary flavanols consumed before a 2 h sitting bout preserve upper- and lower-limb endothelial function in high- and low-fit young healthy males. Forty participants completed both high- and low-flavanol cocoa interventions, with endothelial outcomes assessed by flow-mediated dilatation in brachial and femoral arteries.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study design and participants

Outcomes and findings

Key points

The Journal of Physiology J Physiol 604. 1 (2026) pp 145–171 145 Dietary flavanols preserve upper-and lower-limb endothelial function during sitting in high-and low-fit young healthy males Alessio Daniele 1 , Samuel J. E. Lucas 1,2 and Catarina Rendeiro 1,2 1 School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK 2 Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Handling Editors: Harold Schultz & Sophie Møller The peer review history is available in the Supporting Information section of this article ([https://doi.org/10.1113/JP289038\#support-information-section](https://doi.org/10.1113/JP289038#support-information-section)). Abstract figure legend Schematic indicating the design of an acute randomised, counterbalanced, double-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled human study in which 20 high-fit males and 20 low-fit males consumed either a low-flavanol (5.6 mg) or a high-flavanol (695 mg) cocoa drink prior to a 2 h uninterrupted sitting bout. This work established that intake of dietary flavanols prior to a sitting period preserves upper-and lower-limb endothelial function in both high-and low-fit males, as measured by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)ofthe brachial and superficial femoral conduit arteries. © 2025 The Author(s) . The Journal of Physiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Physiological Society. DOI: 10 . 1113/JP289038 This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 146 A. Daniele and others J Physiol 604.1 Abstract Sedentary behaviour is very prevalent in modern societies, with young adults spending approximately 6 h/day sitting. Sitting induces declines in endothelial function, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nutrition during sitting may be used as a strategy to minimise such effects. This acute randomised, counterbalanced, double-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled human study investigated whether intake of dietary flavanols prior to a 2 h sitting bout could preserve upper-and lower-limb endothelial function in high-and low-fit individuals. Forty young healthy males (20 high fit; 20 low-fit) completed a 2 h sitting trial after consuming either a high-flavanol (150 mg (−)-epicatechin) or low-flavanol (<6mg(−)-epicatechin) cocoa intervention. The primary outcome, superficial femoral artery flow-mediated dilatation (SFA FMD) and secondary outcomes, brachial artery (BA) FMD, resting shear rate, blood flow and blood pressure (BP) were assessed before and after sitting. Medial gastrocnemius microvasculature haemodynamics were assessed before, during and after sitting. Sitting significantly reduced FMD in the SFA and BA and increased diastolic BP in both fitness groups. The high-flavanol intervention prevented FMD declines in both arteries, with no effects on BP. Sitting significantly decreased shear rate and blood flow in both arteries in both fitness groups, with no effects of the flavanol intervention. Sitting further resulted in declines in tissue oxygenation (TOI), detectable within 10 min, and impaired TOI desaturation and speed of reperfusion during hyperaemia 2 h post-sitting, with no effects of flavanols. Flavanol-rich foods may be efficacious at counteracting sitting-induced endothelial dysfunction during prolonged sitting in both high-and low-fit individuals. (Received 10 April 2025; accepted after revision 23 September 2025; first published online 12 October 2025) Corresponding author C. Rendeiro: School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Email: [c.rendeiro@bham.ac.uk](c.rendeiro@bham.ac.uk) Key points 􀀂 Prolonged sitting temporarily impairs vascular function and blood pressure. Dietary strategies during sitting may ameliorate or aggravate the effects o

FAQs

What was the main question of this study?

Whether consuming dietary flavanols before 2 hours of uninterrupted sitting preserves upper- and lower-limb endothelial function in high- and low-fit young healthy males.

How were vascular outcomes measured?

Primary outcome was superficial femoral artery flow-mediated dilatation (SFA FMD), with secondary outcomes including brachial artery FMD, resting shear rate, blood flow, and blood pressure assessed before and after sitting.

Did flavanols affect blood pressure or microvascular function?

High-flavanol intake prevented FMD declines in both arteries, with no effects on blood pressure. Sitting reduced microvascular and tissue oxygenation measures, with no effects of the flavanols.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys