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Questions and Answers
What is the role of platelets in the formation of plaques?
What is the role of platelets in the formation of plaques?
Which of the following is a way that cocoa flavanols may improve vascular function?
Which of the following is a way that cocoa flavanols may improve vascular function?
What is one potential risk associated with consuming chocolate?
What is one potential risk associated with consuming chocolate?
Which of the following mechanisms do cocoa flavanols NOT influence?
Which of the following mechanisms do cocoa flavanols NOT influence?
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What limitation is noted regarding the trials conducted on chocolate and cardiovascular disease?
What limitation is noted regarding the trials conducted on chocolate and cardiovascular disease?
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What is one of the proposed mechanisms by which flavanols exert antihypertensive effects?
What is one of the proposed mechanisms by which flavanols exert antihypertensive effects?
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How do cocoa flavanols influence inflammatory markers?
How do cocoa flavanols influence inflammatory markers?
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What role do cocoa flavanols play in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS)?
What role do cocoa flavanols play in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS)?
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What effect did dark chocolate have on patients in studies regarding exercise performance?
What effect did dark chocolate have on patients in studies regarding exercise performance?
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Which enzyme related to oxidative stress is modulated by flavonoids?
Which enzyme related to oxidative stress is modulated by flavonoids?
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What aspect of mitochondria has gained attention in research related to cocoa and cardiovascular health?
What aspect of mitochondria has gained attention in research related to cocoa and cardiovascular health?
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What is one of the effects of cocoa flavanols on cardiac health?
What is one of the effects of cocoa flavanols on cardiac health?
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Which of the following cytokines is positively modulated by cocoa flavanols?
Which of the following cytokines is positively modulated by cocoa flavanols?
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Study Notes
Chocolate and Cardiovascular Health
- Chocolate contains antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Flavanols in chocolate may have antihypertensive and protective cardiovascular effects.
Vasodilation
-
NO-mediated:
- S-nitrosoglutathione (a source of bioavailable NO) improves NO signaling.
- NO scavenging of free radicals is mediated by free radicals.
-
Non NO-mediated:
- Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxation.
- Inhibition of endothelin-1 production (a powerful vasoconstrictor).
- Increased availability of L-arginine (reduced degradation by arginase).
- Other mechanisms.
Reduced Oxidation and Inflammation
- Flavonoids in cocoa reduce oxidative stress, peroxidation, and inflammatory markers in healthy individuals, smokers, type 2 diabetics, and obese/dyslipidemic/pre-hypertensive/hypertensive patients.
- Cocoa flavanols directly scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species.
- They modulate enzymes related to oxidative stress (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase).
- They inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-2, interleukin-1β, tissue necrosis factor-α).
- They positively modulate anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-4, transforming growth factor-β).
- Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
Other Mechanisms
- Cocoa may improve mitochondrial function and biogenesis, positively impacting endothelial function and reducing CVD.
- Reduced cardiac post-ischemic damage via prevention of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and reduction in superoxide production.
- Platelets: cocoa flavanols inhibit platelet activation, adhesion, and aggregation.
- Glucose and lipid profiles: cocoa flavanols improve vascular function by regulating glucose and lipid profiles.
- Insulin secretion: cocoa flavanols can modulate insulin secretion and glucose absorption leading to improved lipid metabolism.
Risks
- Not all types of chocolate.
- High fat and sugar content.
- Most trials are short-term, limiting long-term effect assessments.
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Description
This quiz explores the impact of chocolate, particularly its flavanols and antioxidants, on cardiovascular health. You'll learn about the mechanisms of vasodilation, oxidative stress reduction, and the different ways cocoa can benefit heart health.
