A cocoa-derived flavonoid that may inhibit myostatin and support muscle retention; human evidence is early-stage.
Mechanistically interesting as a natural myostatin modulator, but the evidence base is early-stage with small sample sizes. Safe at typical doses.
Epicatechin ((-)-Epicatechin) is a myostatin inhibitor / antioxidant with evidence grade D, meaning it is primarily supported by animal studies. We track 1 products containing Epicatechin. Typical doses range from 750 to 750 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 4.9 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $24.95 per month.
| Product | Brand | Dose | Price/mo | 3rd-party tested | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epicatechin Extract 750mg | Dorado Nutrition | 750 mg | $24.95 | Yes | 4.9 |
Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.
Epicatechin is a flavonoid found naturally in dark chocolate, green tea, and certain fruits. It has attracted interest for its potential to inhibit myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth, and for antioxidant and cardioprotective effects.
In animal studies, epicatechin increased muscle mass, improved exercise capacity, and reduced myostatin levels. Small human trials show modest improvements in grip strength and fatigue resistance. Long-term safety and efficacy data are limited.
Mechanistically interesting as a natural myostatin modulator, but the evidence base is early-stage with small sample sizes. Safe at typical doses.
(-)-Epicatechin, a flavan-3-ol. Found in cacao (Theobroma cacao), Camellia sinensis. Myostatin (GDF-8) inhibition observed in vitro and in vivo; also modulates follistatin, nitric oxide, and IGF-1 pathways.
Gutierrez-Salmean 2014 showed 1 mg/kg epicatechin improved grip strength and reduced myostatin in human subjects (n=6). Hüttenhower 2013 showed dose-dependent myostatin inhibition in C2C12 myotubes. Larger RCTs are lacking.
2 to 3 hours; conjugated metabolites circulate longer.
Quality varies between cocoa extracts; check (-)-epicatechin content specifically, as some products contain mostly (+)-epicatechin or other catechins.
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Epicatechin, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.
RCT (n=6): 1 mg/kg (-)-epicatechin for 7 days improved grip strength and reduced serum myostatin by 8% in healthy older adults.
Read study →In vitro and mouse study: epicatechin increased follistatin, decreased myostatin, and improved muscle performance.
Read study →All products in our catalog that contain Epicatechin, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
Dorado NutritionStatus as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.
Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.
Molecules in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Epicatechin in our catalogue.
Nothing else in the database sits close enough to this molecule to list.
See Epicatechin in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.
View Epicatechin on the Longevity Map →Epicatechin is a flavonoid found naturally in dark chocolate, green tea, and certain fruits. It has attracted interest for its potential to inhibit myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth, and for antioxidant and cardioprotective effects.
The trial dose in published human studies is 500 mg per day, with a range of 200 to 1000 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Quality varies between cocoa extracts; check (-)-epicatechin content specifically, as some products contain mostly (+)-epicatechin or other catechins.
We track 1 products containing Epicatechin. The top-ranked product scores 4.9 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
Epicatechin has evidence grade D, meaning it is primarily supported by animal studies. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.