Flavanol antioxidant compounds may help to maintain elasticity of the blood vessels, promoting better blood circulation throughout the body and to all organs.
And a number of studies have demonstrated the ability of cocoa flavanols to reduce the tendency of platelets to clump or aggregate. Decreasing both platelet activity and the formation of platelet micro particles improves overall cardiovascular health. A number of clinical trials have compared the well-documented effects of low-dose aspirin therapy and polyphenol -rich cocoa on platelet activity. They observed a reduction in the platelet activity linked to the production of anti-inflammatory mediators and reduced development of blood clots with both compounds. When the aspirin and cocoa flavanols were combined, the effect was even more pronounced.