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 .
Acute and chronic effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in subjects with coronary artery disease: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Evidence suggests that flavonoid-containing diets reduce cardiovascular risk , but the mechanisms responsible are unclear . In the present study , we sought to determine the effect of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in individuals with CAD ( coronary artery disease ) . Forty subjects ( 61+/-8 years ; 30 male ) with CAD were recruited to a 6-week r and omized double-blind placebo-controlled study . Subjects consumed either a flavanol-rich chocolate bar and cocoa beverage daily ( total flavanols , 444 mg/day ) or matching isocaloric placebos daily ( total flavanols , 19.6 mg/day ) for 6 weeks . Brachial artery FMD ( flow-mediated dilation ) and SAC ( systemic arterial compliance ) were assessed at baseline , 90 min following the first beverage and after 3 and 6 weeks of daily consumption . Soluble cellular adhesion molecules and FBF ( forearm blood flow ) responses to ACh ( acetylcholine chloride ; 3 - 30 microg/min ) and SNP ( sodium nitroprusside ; 0.3 - 3 microg/min ) infusions , forearm ischaemia and isotonic forearm exercise were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks . FMD , SAC and FBF responses did not differ between groups at baseline . No acute or chronic changes in FMD or SAC were seen in either group . No difference in soluble cellular adhesion molecules , FBF responses to ischaemia , exercise , SNP or ACh was seen in the group receiving flavanol-rich cocoa between baseline and 6 weeks . These data suggest that over a 6-week period , flavanol-rich cocoa does not modify vascular function in patients with established CAD
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 .