FRC consumption significantly improves blood pressure , insulin resistance , lipid profiles , and FMD .
A growing body of evidence suggests that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenolic compounds , particularly cocoa , may have cardioprotective effects .
No review , however , has yet examined the effect of flavonoid-rich cocoa ( FRC ) on all major cardiovascular risk factors or has examined potential dose-response relationships for these effects .
Regular Consumption of a Flavanol-rich Chocolate can Improve Oxidant Stress in Young Soccer Players
The consumption of a diet rich in certain flavonoids , including the flavanol sub-class , has been associated with a reduced risk for vascular disease . We evaluated the effects of the regular consumption ( 14 d ) of a flavanol-containing milk chocolate ( FCMC ) or cocoa butter chocolate ( CBC ) on variables related to vascular disease risk , oxidative stress and physical activity . Twenty-eight free-living , young ( 18–20 years old ) male soccer players consumed daily 105 g of FCMC ( 168 mg of flavanols ) or CBC ( < 5 mg of flavanols ) , as part of their normal diet . The consumption of FCMC was significantly associated with a decrease in diastolic blood pressure ( -5 mm Hg ) , mean blood pressure ( -5 mm Hg ) , plasma cholesterol ( -11 % ) , LDL-cholesterol ( -15 % ) , malondialdehyde ( -12 % ) , urate ( -11 % ) and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ) activity ( -11 % ) , and an increase in vitamin E/cholesterol ( + 12 % ) . No relevant changes in these variables were associated with CBC consumption . No changes in the plasma levels of (-)-epicatechin were observed following analysis of fasting blood sample s. In conclusion , FCMC consumption was associated with changes in several variables often associated with cardiovascular health and oxidant stress . The presence of significant quantities of flavanols in FCMC is likely to have been one of the contributing factors to these results
FRC consumption significantly improves blood pressure , insulin resistance , lipid profiles , and FMD .
A growing body of evidence suggests that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenolic compounds , particularly cocoa , may have cardioprotective effects .
No review , however , has yet examined the effect of flavonoid-rich cocoa ( FRC ) on all major cardiovascular risk factors or has examined potential dose-response relationships for these effects .