Compound In Cocoa Responsible For Improving Blood Flow

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Compound In Cocoa Responsible For Improving Blood Flow

 

While a growing number of studies has shown a link between flavanol-rich cocoa

and cardiovascular health, scientists have now substantiated a causal

relationship between specific compounds present in cocoa and cardiovascular

health. Published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

of the United States of America (PNAS) , this new study identifies the flavanol,

(-)epicatechin, as one of the bioactive nutrients in cocoa that can improve the

ability of blood vessels to relax.

 

An international team of scientists from the University of Dusseldorf, Germany;

the University of California, Davis; Mars, Incorporated; and Harvard Medical

School conducted a series of studies examining the role of specific cocoa

flavanols in cardiovascular health.

 

" Applying accepted causality criteria and gold standard methodologies, we have

been able to advance our understanding of the relationship between the intake of

certain flavanols present in cocoa, their absorption into the circulation, and

their effects on cardiovascular function, " said lead author Hagen Schroeter,

PhD, faculty member at the University of California, Davis. " This study

established direct evidence for the effect of the flavanol(-)epicatechin as a

mediator of blood vessel relaxation. "

 

In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over investigation, the researchers

provided healthy male participants with a specially prepared cocoa drink that

was either high or low in certain cocoa flavanols. Only the group consuming the

flavanol-rich cocoa experienced increased blood vessel relaxation. The

researchers demonstrated that the relaxation response mediated by cocoa

flavanols is dependent on nitric oxide, a key signal released by the inner

lining of blood vessels (the endothelium) essential for normal blood vessel

function and healthy blood flow.

 

To provide direct evidence for the specific flavanol in cocoa that is partly

responsible for the circulatory benefits, the research team conducted a

" proof-of-concept " study. During this part of the investigation, participants

drank either a placebo or a beverage containing isolated, cocoa-derived

(-)epicatechin. The researchers demonstrated that the group of participants

receiving the (-)epicatechin had vessel relaxation and nitric oxide responses

similar to those experienced following the consumption of the flavanol-rich

cocoa drink. Based on these findings, the investigators concluded that

(-)epicatechin is one of the active nutrients in certain cocoas exerting the

observed vascular benefits.

 

" Pinpointing specific nutrients responsible for the observed cardiovascular

effects, as we are seeing here with (-)epicatechin, opens up new possibilities

for the development of dietary or therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular

disease, " said co-author Norman Hollenberg, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at

Harvard Medical School.

 

(-)Epicatechin, a nutrient that may be found in certain fruit and vegetables,

green teas, red wine and purple grape juice, is especially abundant in certain

cocoas. " This new insight into the bioactivity of flavanol nutrients is an

important piece of information that will help us understand why diets rich in

fruits and vegetables promote cardiovascular health, " said co-author Carl L.

Keen, PhD, professor of nutrition and internal medicine at the University of

California, Davis.

 

To assess the potential long-term benefits of a flavanol-rich diet, the

researchers studied two populations of Kuna Indians of Panama. Previous work by

Dr. Norman Hollenberg has shown that hypertension is rare among the indigenous

Kuna Indians living on the islands as compared to those living on the mainland.

The island-dwelling Kuna Indians traditionally consume large quantities of

flavanol-rich cocoa (an average of 3-4 cups daily), while those who live in the

suburbs of Panama City consume very little cocoa, supporting the idea that cocoa

flavanols may be responsible for the lower blood pressure in the island

dwellers. Linking Dr. Hollenberg's observations to their own findings, Schroeter

and colleagues found that the Kuna Indians on the island who regularly consume

flavanol-rich cocoa had higher levels of flavanols, as well as higher levels of

nitric oxide metabolites in their circulation compared to the mainland Indians

who consume little cocoa. " These findings suggest that

frequent intake of cocoa flavanols can have biological effects with important

implications for long-term cardiovascular health, " said Dr. Hollenberg.

 

In addition to collaborating on this research, Mars, Incorporated financially

supported it and provided the flavanol-rich cocoa (Cocoapro cocoa powder) that

was used throughout these ivestigations. " After more than 15 years of commitment

to cocoa science research, we are excited to see such great progress in

uncovering the link between cocoa flavanols and heart health, " said Harold

Schmitz, PhD, chief science officer of Mars, Incorporated and co-author of the

study. " Traditional cocoa processing often destroys the flavanols, but Mars

technology helps to retain these naturally occurring nutrients from cocoa. This

new research emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential public

health applications of emerging cocoa science, which is a challenge we take very

seriously at Mars. "

 

Cocoapro cocoa powder is used in Dove Dark Chocolate, as well as in the new

heart-healthy snack CocoaViaTM.

 

For more information on the science of flavanols, visit

http://www.chocolateinfo.com or http://www.cocoapro.com. The flavanol identified

in this study, (-)epicatechin, is technically referred to as (minus)

epicatechin, which is one of the stereoisomers of epicatechin.

 

Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's top producers of chocolate, and with a

strong commitment to health research, is the leader in the science of cocoa,

chocolate and health. Mars uses patented and proprietary methods of processing

cocoa beans to retain as much of their naturally occurring flavanols as

possible, marking these products with the Cocoapro seal, a hand holding a cocoa

bean to signify the careful handling. For more information please visit

http://www.chocolateinfo.com or http://www.cocoapro.com.

 

Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being, a new division of Mars North America,

will develop and launch new foods, snacks, beverages and lifestyle support to

better serve the nutritional and well-being needs of the consumer. The mission

of the division is to be a trusted partner in healthy lifestyles, enabling

consumers to look, perform and feel their best every day. Mars Nutrition for

Health & Well-Being, launched in June 2004, is based in Hackettstown, NJ.

 

Schroeter H, Heiss C, Balzer J, Kleinbongard P, Keen CL, Hollenberg NK, Sies H,

Kwik-Uribe C., Schmitz HH, Kelm M. (-)Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of

flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in humans. Proceedings of the National

Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2006; 108:1024-1029. Online

publication:

www.pnas.org/papbyrecent.shtml