Cocoa Extract - NutraPedia

Back to Table of Contents

Cocoa Extract Overview

1) Conditions Studied

Cocoa extract has been studied for various health conditions including cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and cognitive function. Additionally, its potential effects on mood and depression have been explored, as well as its antioxidant properties and how they may protect against certain diseases.

2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions

The efficacy of cocoa extract in treating these conditions is mixed and still under research. Some studies suggest that cocoa extract can lower blood pressure, improve vascular function, and enhance cognitive performance, particularly in older adults. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and establish effective doses and long-term benefits.

3) Health Benefits

Cocoa extract is rich in flavonoids, which are associated with several health benefits. These include potential antioxidant effects, which may protect cells from damage, improve heart health by aiding in the reduction of LDL cholesterol and improving blood vessel health, and possibly even lowering the risk of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.

4) Potential Downsides

While cocoa extract is generally considered safe for most people, it can have downsides. It contains caffeine and theobromine, which can cause insomnia, nervousness, and increased heart rate in sensitive individuals. High consumption may also lead to unwanted weight gain due to its calorie content. Excessive intake might interfere with the absorption of calcium and magnesium.

5) Genetic Variations and Effects

Research on the interaction between cocoa extract and specific genetic variations is still emerging. Some genetic variations may influence how individuals metabolize the compounds in cocoa, affecting their potential benefits or risks. For example, certain genotypes related to the metabolism of caffeine could make some people more sensitive to the stimulatory effects of cocoa extract. However, comprehensive data on genetic interactions is currently limited, and more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Impact of Cocoa Extract on Cardiovascular Health

Research has demonstrated that cocoa powder and dark chocolate possess higher levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavanols compared to various "Super Fruits," suggesting that cacao seeds could be considered a "Super Fruit" themselves. These components are linked to significant nutritive value and potential health benefits.

Antioxidant and Procyanidin Content in Cocoa Products

Analyses of various cocoa and chocolate products revealed that natural cocoa powders exhibit the highest levels of antioxidants and procyanidins due to their high nonfat cocoa solid content. This high antioxidant capacity translates into potential health benefits, as procyanidins, the primary antioxidants present in chocolates, are associated with a significant amount of antioxidants in a single serving, surpassing many typical American foods. Alkalized cocoa powders, while still beneficial, contain reduced levels of these health-promoting compounds.

Flavanol Content and Cardiovascular Health

Flavan-3-ols, including monomers and procyanidins, were analyzed in chocolate and cocoa products, highlighting their potential positive impact on cardiovascular health. Specific flavan-3-ols like epicatechin and catechin are present in higher levels in cocoa powder and are closely correlated with cardiovascular health benefits. Studies suggest that these compounds contribute to vascular function and reduced inflammation.

Trace Minerals in Cocoa

Research into the levels of trace minerals such as copper, selenium, and molybdenum in foods, including cocoa, emphasizes the importance of monitoring these intake levels to establish reference intakes essential for health.

Neuroprotective Effects of Cocoa

Cocoa flavanols like (-)-epicatechin have been investigated for their neuroprotective properties, potentially contributing to improved brain function and offering therapeutic benefits for neurodegenerative diseases, including the vascular effects of cocoa on cerebral blood flow.

Conclusion

Overall, studies indicate that cocoa and chocolate products, particularly those rich in nonfat cocoa solids and flavanols, may offer a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant capacity, improved vascular function, and potential neuroprotective effects, positioning them as valuable components of a health-conscious diet.

References:


  1. Cacao seeds are a "Super Fruit": A comparative analysis of various fruit powders and products
  2. Procyanidin and catechin contents and antioxidant capacity of cocoa and chocolate products
  3. Survey of commercially available chocolate- and cocoa-containing products in the United States. 2. Comparison of flavan-3-ol content with nonfat cocoa solids, total polyphenols, and percent cacao
  4. The analysis of copper, selenium, and molybdenum contents in frequently consumed foods and an estimation of their daily intake in korean adults
  5. Determination of caffeine, myosmine, and nicotine in chocolate by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
  6. Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability
  7. Evidence for a protective effect of polyphenols-containing foods on cardiovascular health: an update for clinicians
  8. Vascular action of polyphenols
  9. Fluorescent detection of (-)-epicatechin in microsamples from cacao seeds and cocoa products: Comparison with Folin-Ciocalteu method
  10. Flavanol and flavonol contents of cocoa powder products: influence of the manufacturing process
  11. Impact of fermentation, drying, roasting and Dutch processing on flavan-3-ol stereochemistry in cacao beans and cocoa ingredients
  12. Impact of alkalization on the antioxidant and flavanol content of commercial cocoa powders
  13. Flavanol-rich cocoa induces nitric-oxide-dependent vasodilation in healthy humans
  14. Effects of low habitual cocoa intake on blood pressure and bioactive nitric oxide: a randomized controlled trial
  15. Acute consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa and the reversal of endothelial dysfunction in smokers
  16. Vascular effects of cocoa rich in flavan-3-ols
  17. Sustained benefits in vascular function through flavanol-containing cocoa in medicated diabetic patients a double-masked, randomized, controlled trial
  18. Dose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adults
  19. Effect of dark chocolate on arterial function in healthy individuals
  20. Sustained increase in flow-mediated dilation after daily intake of high-flavanol cocoa drink over 1 week
  21. Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensives
  22. Blood pressure is reduced and insulin sensitivity increased in glucose-intolerant, hypertensive subjects after 15 days of consuming high-polyphenol dark chocolate
  23. (-)-epicatechin activation of endothelial cell endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and related signaling pathways
  24. Red wine polyphenols enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and subsequent nitric oxide release from endothelial cells
  25. (-)-Epicatechin-induced calcium independent eNOS activation: roles of HSP90 and AKT
  26. Cell membrane mediated (-)-epicatechin effects on upstream endothelial cell signaling: evidence for a surface receptor
  27. Dynamic Ca(2+) signal modalities in the vascular endothelium
  28. (-)-Epicatechin induces calcium and translocation independent eNOS activation in arterial endothelial cells
  29. Chocolate procyanidins decrease the leukotriene-prostacyclin ratio in humans and human aortic endothelial cells
  30. Unsweetened natural cocoa has anti-asthmatic potential
  31. Relaxant actions of nonprostanoid prostacyclin mimetics on human pulmonary artery
  32. Therapeutic advances: leukotriene antagonists for the treatment of asthma
  33. Theophylline: mechanism of action and use in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  34. Cocoa procyanidins are stable during gastric transit in humans
  35. Food effects on the absorption and pharmacokinetics of cocoa flavanols
  36. Bioavailability of quercetin in pigs is influenced by the dietary fat content
  37. Hydroxytyrosol excretion differs between rats and humans and depends on the vehicle of administration
  38. Milk does not affect the bioavailability of cocoa powder flavonoid in healthy human
  39. Assessment of the effect of type of dairy product and of chocolate matrix on the oral absorption of monomeric chocolate flavanols in a small animal model
  40. Milk decreases urinary excretion but not plasma pharmacokinetics of cocoa flavan-3-ol metabolites in humans
  41. Cocoa consumption for 2 wk enhances insulin-mediated vasodilatation without improving blood pressure or insulin resistance in essential hypertension
  42. Dark chocolate acutely improves walking autonomy in patients with peripheral artery disease
  43. NOX2-mediated arterial dysfunction in smokers: acute effect of dark chocolate
  44. Dark chocolate inhibits platelet isoprostanes via NOX2 down-regulation in smokers
  45. Dark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight men
  46. Chocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial
  47. Influence of cocoa flavanols and procyanidins on free radical-induced human erythrocyte hemolysis
  48. Procyanidin dimer B2 [epicatechin-(4beta-8)-epicatechin] in human plasma after the consumption of a flavanol-rich cocoa
  49. Plant-derived flavanol (-)epicatechin enhances angiogenesis and retention of spatial memory in mice
  50. Uptake and metabolism of epicatechin and its access to the brain after oral ingestion
  51. Sugar, opioids and binge eating
  52. Reward systems and food intake: role of opioids
  53. Immediate effects of chocolate on experimentally induced mood states
  54. SNAP-25 in hippocampal CA3 region is required for long-term memory formation
  55. Overexpression of motor protein KIF17 enhances spatial and working memory in transgenic mice
  56. Appetite suppression through smelling of dark chocolate correlates with changes in ghrelin in young women
  57. The effect of flavanol-rich cocoa on the fMRI response to a cognitive task in healthy young people
  58. The relationship between reaction time, error rate and anterior cingulate cortex activity
  59. Chocolate consumption and risk of stroke: a prospective cohort of men and meta-analysis
  60. Dark chocolate intake buffers stress reactivity in humans
  61. Effect of light therapy on biopterin, neopterin and tryptophan in patients with seasonal affective disorder
  62. Increased neopterin and interferon-gamma secretion and lower availability of L-tryptophan in major depression: further evidence for an immune response
  63. The kynurenine pathway in brain tumor pathogenesis
  64. Neopterin production, tryptophan degradation, and mental depression--what is the link?
  65. Cacao extracts suppress tryptophan degradation of mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  66. The serotonin signaling system: from basic understanding to drug development for functional GI disorders
  67. Cocoa polyphenols enhance positive mood states but not cognitive performance: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
  68. Benefits in cognitive function, blood pressure, and insulin resistance through cocoa flavanol consumption in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) study
  69. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health: clinical findings from a sample of healthy, cognitively intact older adults
  70. Enhancing dentate gyrus function with dietary flavanols improves cognition in older adults
  71. Inhibition of key digestive enzymes by cocoa extracts and procyanidins
  72. (-)-Epicatechin enhances fatigue resistance and oxidative capacity in mouse muscle
  73. Chocolate consumption and cardiometabolic disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis
  74. Chocolate intake and incidence of heart failure: a population-based prospective study of middle-aged and elderly women
  75. Cocoa intake, blood pressure, and cardiovascular mortality: the Zutphen Elderly Study
  76. Cocoa and cardiovascular health
  77. Acute effect of oral flavonoid-rich dark chocolate intake on coronary circulation, as compared with non-flavonoid white chocolate, by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in healthy adults
  78. Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults
  79. Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial
  80. Effects of caffeine on vascular resistance, cardiac output and myocardial contractility in young men
  81. Inhibitory effects of cocoa flavanols and procyanidin oligomers on free radical-induced erythrocyte hemolysis
  82. Mechanisms, pathophysiology, and therapy of arterial stiffness
  83. The role of vitamin K in soft-tissue calcification
  84. Coronary artery calcium for the prediction of mortality in young adults <45 years old and elderly adults >75 years old
  85. Central arterial hemodynamic effects of dark chocolate ingestion in young healthy people: a randomized and controlled trial
  86. Inhibition of in vitro low-density lipoprotein oxidation by oligomeric procyanidins present in chocolate and cocoas
  87. Inhibition of LDL oxidation by cocoa
  88. Polyphenolic flavanols as scavengers of aqueous phase radicals and as chain-breaking antioxidants
  89. Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentrations in humans
  90. Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults
  91. Effect of dark chocolate on nitric oxide serum levels and blood pressure in prehypertension subjects
  92. Cocoa flavanols lower vascular arginase activity in human endothelial cells in vitro and in erythrocytes in vivo
  93. Effect of cocoa flavanols and exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese subjects
  94. The stereochemical configuration of flavanols influences the level and metabolism of flavanols in humans and their biological activity in vivo
  95. (-)-Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in humans
  96. Dark chocolate improves endothelial and platelet function
  97. Acute dark chocolate and cocoa ingestion and endothelial function: a randomized controlled crossover trial
  98. Characterisation of hypertensive patients with improved endothelial function after dark chocolate consumption
  99. Acute and chronic effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in subjects with coronary artery disease: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
  100. Effects of cocoa extract and dark chocolate on angiotensin-converting enzyme and nitric oxide in human endothelial cells and healthy volunteers--a nutrigenomics perspective
  101. Effect of dark chocolate on arterial function in healthy individuals: cocoa instead of ambrosia?
  102. Regular consumption of a flavanol-rich chocolate can improve oxidant stress in young soccer players
  103. Protective effects of flavanol-rich dark chocolate on endothelial function and wave reflection during acute hyperglycemia
  104. Effect of cocoa on blood pressure
  105. Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis
  106. Safety and efficacy of cocoa flavanol intake in healthy adults: a randomized, controlled, double-masked trial
  107. Protective effects of (-)-epicatechin against nitrative modifications of fibrinogen
  108. Interference of the polyphenol epicatechin with the biological chemistry of nitric oxide- and peroxynitrite-mediated reactions
  109. Peroxynitrite-mediated modification of fibrinogen affects platelet aggregation and adhesion
  110. Independent association between lower level of social support and higher coagulation activity before and after acute psychosocial stress
  111. Coagulation activity before and after acute psychosocial stress increases with age
  112. Effects of dark chocolate consumption on the prothrombotic response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy men
  113. Dark chocolate effect on platelet activity, C-reactive protein and lipid profile: a pilot study
  114. Cocoa inhibits platelet activation and function
  115. The effects of flavanol-rich cocoa and aspirin on ex vivo platelet function
  116. Flavan-3-ol-enriched dark chocolate and white chocolate improve acute measures of platelet function in a gender-specific way--a randomized-controlled human intervention trial
  117. Effects of cocoa products/dark chocolate on serum lipids: a meta-analysis
  118. Short-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons
  119. The effect of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on fasting capillary whole blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure and glucocorticoids in healthy overweight and obese subjects
  120. Alterations in skeletal muscle indicators of mitochondrial structure and biogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure: effects of epicatechin rich cocoa
  121. Reciprocal relationships between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction: molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms
  122. Insulin-mediated skeletal muscle vasodilation is nitric oxide dependent. A novel action of insulin to increase nitric oxide release
  123. Evidence for physiological coupling of insulin-mediated glucose metabolism and limb blood flow
  124. Effects of dark chocolate in a population of normal weight obese women: a pilot study
  125. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: role in biology
  126. Increased plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels in men with visceral obesity
  127. Leptin actions on food intake and body temperature are mediated by IL-1
  128. IL-1 receptor antagonist serum levels are increased in human obesity: a possible link to the resistance to leptin?
  129. Consumption of high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function in individuals with stage 1 hypertension and excess body weight
  130. Targeting the skeletal muscle-metabolism axis in prostate-cancer therapy
  131. Quadrupling muscle mass in mice by targeting TGF-beta signaling pathways
  132. Effects of (-)-epicatechin on molecular modulators of skeletal muscle growth and differentiation
  133. Flavan-3-ol fraction from cocoa powder promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle in mice
  134. (-)-Epicatechin is associated with increased angiogenic and mitochondrial signalling in the hindlimb of rats selectively bred for innate low running capacity
  135. The effect of acute pre-exercise dark chocolate consumption on plasma antioxidant status, oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses to prolonged exercise
  136. Regular dark chocolate consumption's reduction of oxidative stress and increase of free-fatty-acid mobilization in response to prolonged cycling
  137. Effect of elevated blood FFA levels on endurance performance after a single fat meal ingestion
  138. PGC-1alpha is required for training-induced prevention of age-associated decline in mitochondrial enzymes in mouse skeletal muscle
  139. Artificial selection for intrinsic aerobic endurance running capacity in rats
  140. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial and metabolic responses to a high-fat diet in female rats bred for high and low aerobic capacity
  141. Gene expression centroids that link with low intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity and complex disease risk
  142. Low intrinsic running capacity is associated with reduced skeletal muscle substrate oxidation and lower mitochondrial content in white skeletal muscle
  143. (-)-Epicatechin maintains endurance training adaptation in mice after 14 days of detraining
  144. Adhesion molecules and atherosclerosis
  145. Effect of cocoa flavanols and their related oligomers on the secretion of interleukin-5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  146. Flavonoids from Theobroma cacao down-regulate inflammatory mediators
  147. Epicatechin suppresses IL-6, IL-8 and enhances IL-10 production with NF-kappaB nuclear translocation in whole blood stimulated system
  148. Anti-inflammatory properties of clovamide and Theobroma cacao phenolic extracts in human monocytes: evaluation of respiratory burst, cytokine release, NF-κB activation, and PPARγ modulation
  149. Accurate assessment of the bioactivities of redox-active polyphenolics in cell culture
  150. Immune effects of cocoa procyanidin oligomers on peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  151. Immunomodulatory properties of cacao extracts - potential consequences for medical applications
  152. Involvement of reactive oxygen species in Toll-like receptor 4-dependent activation of NF-kappa B
  153. Neopterin release from human endothelial cells is triggered by interferon-gamma
  154. Different lymphoid cell populations produce varied levels of neopterin, beta 2-microglobulin and soluble IL-2 receptor when stimulated with IL-2, interferon-gamma or tumour necrosis factor-alpha
  155. Decreased serum tryptophan in patients with HIV-1 infection correlates with increased serum neopterin and with neurologic/psychiatric symptoms
  156. Interferon gamma and the growth of Toxoplasma gondii in fibroblasts
  157. Peroxide and pteridine: a hypothesis on the regulation of macrophage antimicrobial activity by interferon gamma
  158. The association between specific nutritional antioxidants and manifestation of colorectal cancer
  159. Key mediators in the immunopathogenesis of allergic asthma
  160. HIV and antiretroviral therapy in the brain: neuronal injury and repair
  161. Human immunodeficiency virus-associated dementia: an evolving disease
  162. Mitochondria in neuroplasticity and neurological disorders
  163. Catechins protect neurons against mitochondrial toxins and HIV proteins via activation of the BDNF pathway
  164. The cocoa flavanol (-)-epicatechin protects the cortisol response
  165. Prebiotic evaluation of cocoa-derived flavanols in healthy humans by using a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover intervention study
  166. Flavanol monomer-induced changes to the human faecal microflora
  167. Effect of tea phenolics and their aromatic fecal bacterial metabolites on intestinal microbiota
  168. The effect of non-protein liquid meals on the hepatic venous pressure gradient in patients with cirrhosis
  169. Postprandial changes in portal haemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis
  170. Low doses of isosorbide mononitrate attenuate the postprandial increase in portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis
  171. Ascorbic acid improves the intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension
  172. Postprandial effects of dark chocolate on portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis: results of a phase 2, double-blind, randomized controlled trial
  173. Effects of (-)-epicatechin, a flavonoid on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in streptozotocin-induced diabetic liver, kidney and heart
  174. Effect of dark chocolate on renal tissue oxygenation as measured by BOLD-MRI in healthy volunteers
  175. The short-term effect of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on retinal vessel diameter in glaucoma patients and age-matched controls
  176. Recovery of Indicators of Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Oxidative Stress, and Aging With (-)-Epicatechin in Senile Mice
  177. Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in women
  178. Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial
  179. Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne Vulgaris
  180. Foods as the cause of acne
  181. Exacerbation of facial acne vulgaris after consuming pure chocolate
  182. The NOX family of ROS-generating NADPH oxidases: physiology and pathophysiology
  183. Imbalance between nitric oxide generation and oxidative stress in patients with peripheral arterial disease: effect of an antioxidant treatment
  184. Dark chocolate and vascular function in patients with peripheral artery disease: a randomized, controlled cross-over trial
  185. Losses in gross brain volume and cerebral blood flow account for age-related differences in speed but not in fluid intelligence
  186. Late-onset dementia: structural brain damage and total cerebral blood flow
  187. Intake of flavonoids and risk of dementia
  188. Fruit polyphenolics and brain aging: nutritional interventions targeting age-related neuronal and behavioral deficits
  189. Cocoa flavanols and brain perfusion
  190. Cerebral correlates of the progression rate of the cognitive decline in probable Alzheimer's disease
  191. Preclinical prediction of Alzheimer's disease using SPECT


Upload Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) raw DNA data today and take a deep dive into your genome!

Or if you only have standard microarray data currently, upload raw DNA data to get started with your free DNA raw data analysis today!