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

  • Carrageenan, extracted from red seaweeds, stands as a leading hydrocolloid in the realm of food technology. Its applications span a variety of culinary are...
  • Carbonation is a critical sensory element in beverages, enhancing their overall appeal by elevating aroma and creating a distinctive mouthfeel often descri...
  • Calcium is an essential mineral in the human body, found in two primary forms: bound calcium in bone tissue and free, ionized calcium in the blood and soft...
  • The history of hybrid vehicles spans more than a century, showcasing humanity's ingenuity in combining multiple power sources for efficient transportation....