Benefits of flavanol-rich cocoa-derived products for mental well-being: A review

► Flavanols have antioxidant, vasodilatory, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties. ► Flavanols have antidepressant effects in laboratory animals. ► Intake of flavanols enhances human cognitive performance and cerebral blood flow. ► Intake of flavanols such as dark chocolate counteracts negative emotions. ► Flavanol-rich cocoa-derived products may complement traditional antidepressant regimes.