Epicatechin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Epicatechin is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 373 participants, researched for Cardiovascular Health, Muscle Strength & Performance, Metabolic Effects and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cardiovascular Health
StrongMuscle Strength & Performance
ModerateMetabolic Effects
ModerateNeuroprotection & Cognitive Function
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate pure epicatechin on blood pressure and endothelial function
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
Purpose
To evaluate pure epicatechin on blood pressure and endothelial function
Dose
100 mg/day epicatechin
Participants
37 hypertensive adults
Duration
4 weeks crossover
Results
Significant reduction in systolic BP (5 mmHg, p=0.03) and improvement in FMD (+3.2%, p=0.04). Nitric oxide metabolites increased.
How They Measured It
Blood pressure, flow-mediated dilation, plasma nitric oxide
To assess the cardiovascular effects of cocoa epicatechin in coronary artery disease patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the cardiovascular effects of cocoa epicatechin in coronary artery disease patients
Dose
90 mg/day epicatechin via dark chocolate
Participants
42 coronary artery disease patients
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in coronary flow reserve (p=0.02) and endothelial function. Platelet aggregation reduced.
How They Measured It
Coronary flow reserve, endothelial function, platelet aggregation
To evaluate flavan-3-ols including epicatechin on blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate flavan-3-ols including epicatechin on blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes
Dose
Flavan-3-ol and epicatechin-rich interventions
Participants
Meta-analysis of 35 RCTs (2,468 participants)
Duration
2-52 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in systolic BP (MD -1.4 mmHg) and improved FMD. Higher epicatechin doses correlated with larger effects.
How They Measured It
Systolic/diastolic BP, FMD across 35 RCTs
Muscle Strength & Performance
To assess epicatechin supplementation on muscle strength and body composition
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess epicatechin supplementation on muscle strength and body composition
Dose
150 mg/day epicatechin
Participants
26 middle-aged adults
Duration
7 days
Results
Significant increase in handgrip strength (p=0.03) and favourable follistatin:myostatin ratio. Rapid onset of strength effects observed.
How They Measured It
Handgrip strength, lean mass (DEXA), myostatin, follistatin
To evaluate epicatechin supplementation in heart failure patients on exercise capacity
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate epicatechin supplementation in heart failure patients on exercise capacity
Dose
100 mg/day epicatechin
Participants
18 heart failure patients
Duration
3 months
Results
Significant improvement in 6-minute walk distance (+30 m, p=0.03). Skeletal muscle biopsies showed increased mitochondrial density.
How They Measured It
6-minute walk test, skeletal muscle biopsy, mitochondrial markers
Metabolic Effects
To assess epicatechin on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess epicatechin on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
Dose
200 mg/day epicatechin
Participants
40 overweight adults with insulin resistance
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in insulin-mediated glucose disposal (p=0.02). HOMA-IR reduced by 22%. Fasting glucose and insulin both improved.
How They Measured It
Hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR
To evaluate epicatechin on postprandial lipid and glucose responses
Study Type
Randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate epicatechin on postprandial lipid and glucose responses
Dose
100 mg epicatechin with meal
Participants
22 healthy adults
Duration
Acute crossover study
Results
Epicatechin significantly attenuated postprandial triglyceride rise (p=0.03) and LDL oxidation. Anti-glycaemic and anti-lipidaemic effects demonstrated.
How They Measured It
Postprandial glucose, triglycerides, LDL oxidation after high-fat meal
Neuroprotection & Cognitive Function
To evaluate cocoa flavanols (epicatechin-rich) on cognitive function in older adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate cocoa flavanols (epicatechin-rich) on cognitive function in older adults
Dose
520 mg/day cocoa flavanols
Participants
91 older adults (60-90 years)
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in executive function and attention (p=0.04). Cerebral blood flow markers improved. BDNF levels increased.
How They Measured It
Global cognition composite, memory, attention, executive function
To assess epicatechin-rich cocoa on cerebrovascular function and cognition
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess epicatechin-rich cocoa on cerebrovascular function and cognition
Dose
172 mg/day epicatechin via cocoa
Participants
62 older adults at risk for cognitive decline
Duration
3 months
Results
Significant increase in dentate gyrus cerebral blood flow (p=0.04). Working memory and pattern separation improved. Exercise enhanced epicatechin benefits.
How They Measured It
Cerebral blood flow (fMRI), cognitive composite, working memory
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Epicatechin research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Epicatechin (Epicatechin), involving 373 total participants. Research covers Cardiovascular health, Muscle strength, Blood pressure and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Epicatechin has been researched for: Cardiovascular health, Muscle strength, Blood pressure, Antioxidant status, Metabolic health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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