Chocolate and CVD PDF

Chocolate on cardiovascular health Chocolate contains antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing the risk of CVD. The following mechanisms might determine the antihyper- tensive and cardiovascular protective effects of flavanols Vasodilation: ...

Chocolate on cardiovascular health Chocolate contains antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing the risk of CVD. The following mechanisms might determine the antihyper- tensive and cardiovascular protective effects of flavanols Vasodilation:  NO-mediated  None NO mediated  Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties 1 Reduced oxidation and inflammation: Flavonoids may lead to reduction in all oxidative, peroxidation and inflammatory markers in healthy, smokers, type 2 diabetics, & obese, dyslipidemic, pre-hypertensive, and hypertensive patients.  Cocoa flavanols directly scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species.  They modulate crucial enzymes related to oxidative stress, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione transferase.  They inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-2, interleukin-1β, and tissue necrosis factor-α, and positively modulate the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-4 and transforming growth factor-β.  An inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Other mechanisms:  Recently, studies have begun to pay attention to the role of cocoa on mitochondria in cardiovascular health, as impaired mitochondrial function represents an early sign of endothelial dysfunction. The stimulation of mitochondrial function and biogenesis could ameliorate bioenergetic and metabolic status of cells, thereby improving vascular function and reducing CVD. Cocoa flavanols might be able to decrease cardiac post-ischemic damage via prevention of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, and reduction in superoxide production. Patients, randomized to receive dark chocolate, showed increased maximal 2  oxygen uptake and maximum work achieved, as well as increases in mitochondrial activity and glutathione levels, when compared to placebo. NO is suspected to mediate the effects of cocoa on mitochondria.  Platelets contribute to the early inflammatory events involved in the formation of plaques and also to the thrombogenic process subsequent to the rupture of advanced, unstable plaques. Cocoa flavanols are also able to inhibit platelet activation, adhesion, and aggregation, mechanisms that play a central the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis role inthe development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.  Moreover, cocoa and its main flavanols may improve vascular function by regulating the glucose and lipid profile, crucial risk factors for vascular damage. There is evidence that CFs are able to modulate insulin secretion in β-pancreatic cells, target insulin-sensitive tissues, repress glucose production, enhance glucose uptake through the promotion of glucose transport, might control glucose absorption at GI, and improve lipid metabolism Risks:  Not all types of chocolate  Rich in fat & sugar  Most of the trials conducted were short term, making it difficult to assess long-term effects of chocolate on CVD and other cardiovascular endpoints References:  doi: 10.1007/s11883-011-0203-2  doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.05.011  doi: 10.3389/fnut.2017.00036 3