Could this drink cure walking pain?

Drinking cocoa may improve walking performance or even cure walking pain for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD is an abnormal narrowing of arteries other than those that supply the heart or brain. It most commonly affects the legs. Symptoms include pain, tightness, cramping, weakness or other discomfort in the leg muscles while walking.

PAD becomes more common as people age. In 2015 about 155 million people worldwide suffered from the condition. The American Heart Association study analysed 44 PAD patients over 60.

Study participants drank a beverage containing flavanol-rich cocoa three times a day for six months and were able to walk up to 42.6 metres further in a six-minute walking test, compared with those who drank the same number and type of beverages without cocoa.

Study shows promising results for pain management

Those who drank the flavanol-rich cocoa had improved blood flow to their calves. They also had improved muscle function compared to the placebo group.

“Few therapies are available for improving walking performance in people with PAD,” said lead study author Mary McDermott from Northwestern University in Chicago.

“In addition to reduced blood flow to the legs, people with peripheral artery disease have been shown to have damaged mitochondria in their calf muscles, perhaps caused by the reduced blood flow. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, converting food to energy.

“Previous research has shown that better mitochondrial health and activity are associated with better walking performance and improving the health of damaged mitochondria could lead to walking improvements.”

Can cocoa really cure walking pain?

Epicatechin is a major flavanol component of cocoa. Researchers say it may increase mitochondrial activity and muscle health in the calves of PAD patients. It may also be responsible for improving walking ability.

Epicatechins and flavanols also have the potential to improve blood flow.

Random study participants drank milk or water mixed with the contents of a powder packet containing flavanol-rich cocoa. Others were given placebo powder packet without cocoa or epicatechin three times daily over six months.

Walking performance was measured at the beginning of the study and at six months. A six-minute walk measured 2.5 hours after drinking the beverage and 24 hours after drinking the beverage.

Participants were also given a treadmill walking test. They had the blood flow to their legs measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Consenting participants had a calf muscle biopsy to evaluate muscle health.

Which cocoa is best for your health?

The study used common natural unsweetened cocoa powder. It’s rich in the flavanol epicatechin and is found in larger amounts in dark chocolate than in milk chocolate. Regular chocolate does not have the same effect.

Cocoa drinkers showed significant improvement. They walked an average of almost 43 metres further in the six-minute walking test compared to their baseline results during the test performed at 2.5 hours after the final study beverage.

Cocoa drinkers also had increased mitochondrial activity, capillary density and other improvements to muscle health.

How does it cure walking pain?

Patients who drank the placebo beverage had a decline of 24.2 metres in their walking distance compared to their baseline results. Other studies also show PAD patients without treatment show declines in their six-minute walk distance over time.

“While we expected the improvements in walking, we were particularly pleased to see that cocoa treatment was also associated with increased capillary density, limb perfusion, mitochondrial activity and an additional measure of overall skeletal muscle health,” Ms McDermott said.

“If our results are confirmed in a larger trial, these findings suggest that cocoa, a relatively inexpensive, safe and accessible product, could potentially produce significant improvements in calf muscle health, blood flow and walking performance for PAD patients.”

High levels of flavanols in cocoa may also protect your heart when stressed, say researchers from the University of Birmingham.

Do you suffer from PAD? Have you experienced pain while walking? Do you drink cocoa? Would you consider it after reading the results from this test? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?

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