Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Procyanidins in cocoa and chocolate

Chocolates and cocoas contain substantial amounts of procyanidins, and thus belong in the category of flavonoid-rich foods.

Recent advancements in the identification and isolation of procyanidins, especially oligomeric procyanidins, from chocolate and cocoa have facilitated the investigation of individual procyanidin fractions with regard to their potential cardiovascular health benefits. Procyanidin suppress multiple activities that lead to cardiovascular disease by inhibiting the development of blood platelets or clotting factors and thus helping reduce heart disease.

Dimeric A type Procyanidin
This phytochemical also responsible fro blood vessel dilation, thus promoting blood flow and reducing their risk of heart disease.

Procyanidins present in large amounts in some dark chocolate brand cocoa powder made with beans that have not been overly fermented, alkalized or roasted at high temperature, demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect on artery blood flow.

Procyanidins in cocoa include the B1, and B2 types as well as B5 dimers and C1 trimer, together with high levels of longer-chain polymers with four or more monomeric units.
Procyanidins in cocoa and chocolate

The most popular articles

Other interesting articles

  • The history of the electric car is a fascinating journey that dates back to the early 19th century. In the 1830s, inventors in Hungary, the Netherlands, an...
  • Selenium is a vital trace mineral that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions, including antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism, and im...
  • Choleretic vegetables are those that stimulate the liver to produce bile, which is essential for digestion and overall liver health. Bile emulsifies fats, ...