Cocoa antioxidants and cardiovascular health

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 81; no. 1; pp. 298S - 303S
• Main Authors: Keen, Carl L, Holt, Roberta R, Oteiza, Patricia I, Fraga, Cesar G, Schmitz, Harold H
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Clinical Nutrition 2005; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; antioxidant activity; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - pharmacokinetics; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; Blood Platelets - drug effects; Cacao; cardioprotective effect; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Circulatory system; Cocoa; cocoa products; diet; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - physiology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; flavanols; Flavonoids - pharmacokinetics; Flavonoids - therapeutic use; Fruit; fruits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health; Homeostasis - drug effects; Humans; nutritional intervention; plant-based foods; Proanthocyanidins - pharmacokinetics; Proanthocyanidins - therapeutic use; Rats; small fruits; tea; Vegetables; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; wines; Human; Antioxidants; Platelet; Health; procyanidins; flavanols; Chocolate; Antioxidant; Cocoa; cardiovascular health; platelets
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/81.1.298s

An increasing body of epidemiologic evidence supports the concept that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can promote health and attenuate, or delay, the onset of various diseases. Epidemiologic data support the idea that these health benefits are causally linked to the consumption of certain flavonoids present in fruit and vegetables. In the context of cardiovascular health, a particular group of flavonoids, namely, the flavan-3-ols (flavanols), has received attention. Flavanol-rich, plant-derived foods and beverages include wine, tea, and various fruits and berries, as well as cocoa and cocoa products. Numerous dietary intervention studies in humans and animals indicate that flavanol-rich foods and beverages might exert cardioprotective effects with respect to vascular function and platelet reactivity. This review discusses the bioactivity of flavanols in the context of cardiovascular health, with respect to their bioavailability, their antioxidant properties, and their vascular effects.