Role of Flavanols in Exercise and Aging
Role of Flavanols in Exercise and Aging
It has well known that diets rich in fruits, vegetables and cocoa products are associated
 with positive health benefits and these positive effects have been shown to be due to
 compounds they contain called flavanols. Flavanols have been shown to exert their positive
 effects by indirectly increasing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. NO is a potent
 vasodilator that is believed to play a role in increasing blood flow to active muscle during
 exercise. This regulatory process is impaired with healthy aging. The underlying premise to
 this study is that if NO bioavailability can be increased following flavanol ingestion, will
 there be a restoration of blood flow during exercise in older individuals? Accordingly, the
 first part of this research project will compare the acute vascular effects of flavanol
 ingestion between a young and old group. The investigators have hypothesized that both groups
 will show an improvement in blood flow to active muscle during exercise, though the magnitude
 of the change will be greater in the older group. The second part of this project will look
 at the effects of 4 weeks of daily flavanol ingestion in the old group. The investigators
 hypothesize that subjects will demonstrate an improvement in blood flow to active muscle
 during exercise after the 4 week intervention and that the magnitude of the change will be
 greater than the acute effects. Findings from this proposal will provide evidence for the
 efficacy of flavanols to be used (as a simple and safe lifestyle intervention) to reverse or
 combat impaired blood flow regulation in older individuals.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Males and Females between 18 - 30 years old

 -  Males and Females between 60 - 80 years old

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  cardiovascular and/or microvascular disease

 -  blood clotting disorder

 -  pregnant lady

 -  current smoker (or regularly smoked within last year)

 -  a history of an adverse reaction to cold

 -  taking medications known to effect the autonomic nervous system