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Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate Improves Endothelial Function and Increases Plasma Epicatechin Concentrations in Healthy Adults

Engler, Mary B., Engler, Marguerite M., Chen, Chung Y., Malloy, Mary J., Browne, Amanda, Chiu, Elisa Y., Kwak, Ho-Kyung, Milbury, Paul, Paul, Steven M., Blumberg, Jeffrey, Mietus-Snyder, Michele L.·2004·Journal of the American College of Nutrition

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dark chocolate derived from the plant (Theobroma cacao) is a rich source of flavonoids. Cardioprotective effects including antioxidant properties, inhibition of platelet activity, and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase have been ascribed to the cocoa flavonoids. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on endothelial function, measures of oxidative stress, blood lipids, and blood pressure in healthy adult subjects. DESIGN: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design conducted over a 2 week period in 21 healthy adult subjects. Subjects were randomly assigned to daily intake of high-flavonoid (213 mg procyanidins, 46 mg epicatechin) or low-flavonoid dark chocolate bars (46 g, 1.6 oz). RESULTS: High-flavonoid chocolate consumption improved endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (mean change = 1.3 +/- 0.7%) as compared to low-flavonoid chocolate consumption (mean change = -0.96 +/- 0.5%) (p = 0.024). No significant differences were noted in the resistance to LDL oxidation, total antioxidant capacity, 8-isoprostanes, blood pressure, lipid parameters, body weight or body mass index (BMI) between the two groups. Plasma epicatechin concentrations were markedly increased at 2 weeks in the high-flavonoid group (204.4 +/- 18.5 nmol/L, p < or = 0.001) but not in the low-flavonoid group (17.5 +/- 9 nmol/L, p = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and is associated with an increase in plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. No changes in oxidative stress measures, lipid profiles, blood pressure, body weight or BMI were seen.

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Metadata

Authors
Engler, M. B., Engler, M. M., Chen, C. Y., Malloy, M. J., Browne, A., Chiu, E. Y., Kwak, H.-K., Milbury, P., Paul, S. M., Blumberg, J., & Mietus-Snyder, M. L.
Venue
Journal of the American College of Nutrition
Published
2004-06
Volume
23
Issue
3
Pages
197-204
ISSN
  • 0731-5724 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-1087
OpenAlex
W2169349015
Cited by
469
References
6
FWCI
12.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate Improves Endothelial Function and Increases Plasma Epicatechin Concentrations in Healthy Adults. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1080/07315724.2004.10719361
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Engler, M. B., Engler, M. M., Chen, C. Y., Malloy, M. J., Browne, A., Chiu, E. Y., Kwak, H.-K., Milbury, P., Paul, S. M., Blumberg, J., & Mietus-Snyder, M. L. (2004). Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate Improves Endothelial Function and Increases Plasma Epicatechin Concentrations in Healthy Adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2004.10719361

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