→ Work plan
FLAVIOLA is a European research project carried out by a consortium of eight national partners each with a specific expertise. The workload has been organised in six work-packages (WP) and each institution takes the lead on one or more aspects of the research and shares the results with the others. FLAVIOLA will deploy over a period of three years.

WP1: Metabonomics

WP 1 focuses on the design of flavanol-rich food matrices and the analysis of dietary flavanol uptake and metabolism.
WP Leader – University of Reading

WP2: Susceptibility, age & gender aspects

WP 2 looks at the evaluation of inter and intra-individual variability potentially affecting the dietary intake of flavanol-containing foods.
WP Leader – Mars, Incorporated

WP3: Organ functionality and organism vitality

WP 3 investigates the impact of dietary flavanols and the interaction with dietary nitrate/nitrite (NOx) on cardiovascular morphology and function in vivo. In addition, it will examine the influence of dietary flavanols on mild and severe inflammatory states.
WP Leader – Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf

WP4: (Sub-)cellular targets and mechanisms

In WP 4 the FLAVIOLA partners look at key molecular targets of dietary flavanols taking part in vascular homeostasis, both in the different vascular cell types and in cardiomyocytes.
WP Leader – Universiteit Maastricht

WP5: Dissemination and exploitation

In WP 5, FLAVIOLA will focus on the communication of FLAVIOLA's results to all key stakeholders to ensure that the findings are effectively leveraged in terms of the scientific, societal and economic advancement of the EU.
WP Leader – Mars, Incorporated

WP6: Management

WP 6 covers the effective project management of FLAVIOLA to ensure all necessary goals and targets are met.
WP Leader – SCIPROM Sàrl


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The FLAVIOLA Consortium

The FLAVIOLA Vision

FLAVIOLA’s vision was that through collaborative research into the function and delivery of flavanols, we provided the foundations for the development of innovative and natural food products that have a far-reaching impact on European public health and well being.
“FLAVIOLA was a unique research project. We aimed to develop an optimised flavanol-rich diet without altering the natural flavanol source or enriching dietary flavanol content,” commented Prof. Kelm, Professor of Medicine and Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf and FLAVIOLA Scientific Director.
Prof. Kelm, FLAVIOLA Scientific Director
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Cutting-edge Research


The role of cocoa flavanols in health has been investigated for over 20-years, so what makes FLAVIOLA novel?

The FLAVIOLA project employed a multidisciplinary, translational research approach to address the gaps and challenges that exist in the field of flavanol research as it relates to cardiovascular health and aging. To achieve the project goals outlined below, FLAVIOLA utilized state-of-the-art analytical techniques, rigorous and well-designed clinical studies, and the knowledge and experience of experts from academic, government, and industry partners.

Our Objectives


In order to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the function and delivery of flavanols, FLAVIOLA focused on a broad range of complementary aspects.

Research aims of the FLAVIOLA project were to:
  • Investigate the absorption and metabolism of flavanols in humans, including inter- and intra-individual variation
  • Establish the levels of habitual flavanol intake in the EU
  • Assessing the impact of the dietary intake of flavanols on cardiovascular function in healthy adults
  • Develop a cocoa food product prototype containing flavanol for use in the context of cardiovascular health

Expected Impact


In order to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the function and delivery of flavanols, FLAVIOLA focused on a broad range of complementary aspects.

Research aims of the FLAVIOLA project were to:
  • Investigate the absorption and metabolism of flavanols in humans, including inter- and intra-individual variation
  • Establish the levels of habitual flavanol intake in the EU
  • Assessing the impact of the dietary intake of flavanols on cardiovascular function in healthy adults
  • Develop a cocoa food product prototype containing flavanol for use in the context of cardiovascular health