Small Study Suggests Benefit of Flavonoid-Rich Cocoa on Fatigue in People with MS
March 5, 2019
Researchers found that cocoa rich in flavonoids (plant chemicals that have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties) improved fatigue and walking speed in a small study of 40 people with MS, when compared with cocoa low in flavonoids. Some participants experienced worsening fatigue, feelings of nausea, or a general feeling of being unwell. The authors and an accompanying editorial suggest that a larger, longer-term study is warranted to help understand whether cocoa rich in flavonoids can be used alongside disease-modifying therapy and rehabilitation to help manage fatigue in MS.
Read more in a press release from the journal
Read the paper and editorial available free of charge in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.