Cocoa flavanols could aid in treatment of serious vascular complications associated with long-term diabetes.The ingredient in cocoa and dark chocolate often credited for providing cardiovascular benefits -- molecules called flavanols -- may lead to the development of a new class of drugs to treat diabetes, strokes and vascular dementia.
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"The mounting scientific evidence on cocoa flavanols
is extraordinary," said Dr. Norm Hollenberg, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and one of
the first researchers to identify the potential health benefits of cocoa
flavanols. "This is a scientific breakthrough that could well lead to a medical
breakthrough."
Additionally, scientists with Mars, Inc. have discovered that entire
"libraries" of cocoa flavanols can be synthesized, and that new flavanols can be
developed from natural flavanols, enhancing their feasibility for use in
pharmaceutical medications.
Cocoa as a
Prescription Drug?
Scientists from around the world gathered in Switzerland to discuss the research at a meeting convened by Mars, which has supported cocoa research for more than 15 years.
The
company confirmed that it is holding serious discussions with large
pharmaceutical companies for a licensing or joint venture agreement that could
enable some of these compounds to be developed as prescription drugs.
"Our company has a
heritage of highly regarded research in nutrition and health science, through
partnerships with some of the world's finest scientists and universities," said
Dr. Harold Schmitz, Chief Science Officer for Mars. "This science is now moving
beyond nutrition toward the research and development of important health care
solutions."
Scientists Share Their
Findings
The Swiss meeting
provided an opportunity for scientists from around the world, who are working
independently on different cocoa flavanol research projects, to share their findings in a
peer-review setting.
The latest
research builds upon more than 80 peer-reviewed publications that have covered,
test-tube and clinical research on cocoa flavanols.
Among the findings
discussed at the two-day meeting:
The specific cocoa
flavanol molecules responsible for a beneficial aspirin-like effect (a reduction
in platelet aggregation) have been identified for the first time. This has major
implications for pharmaceutical applications.
Two clinical trials
found that cocoa flavanols can increase blood flow to key areas of the brain,
suggesting the potential for treatment of vascular impairment associated with
elderly people, including dementia.
Building on previous
findings that cocoa flavanols can boost synthesis of nitric oxide by blood
vessels, increasing blood flow, a new clinical study found that such increases
can also be achieved among people with diabetes. This suggests that cocoa
flavanols could aid in treatment of serious vascular complications associated
with long-term diabetes.
The ability to
synthesize cocoa flavanols has become a reality, and the mechanisms behind their
actions in the body are now becoming understood.
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