Aduna Super-Cacao Powder | Natural Raw African Cacao Powder for Cardiovascular Health | Ghanaian Low Cadmium Cacao | 275g Resealable and Recyclable Pack

Product Information

Balanos, G.M.; Whittaker, A.; Frenneaux, M.P.; McIntyre, D.; Lykidis, C.; Griffin, H.S.; Carroll, D. Metabolically exaggerated cardiac reactions to acute psychological stress: The effects of resting blood pressure status and possible underlying mechanisms. Biol. Psychol. 2010, 85, 104–111. [ Google Scholar] [ CrossRef][ Green Version] Upon ingestion, flavanols bioavailability depends on their absorption, metabolism at the gastrointestinal tract, tissue and cellular distribution, and tissue metabolism. Flavanols are phytonutrient compounds that naturally occur in foods from vegetables and fruits to chocolate and tea Using an in situ rat small intestinal perfusion model it was shown that the presence of tetrameric procyanidins enhanced the absorption of procyanidin B2. These results are consistent with the findings, where elevated concentrations of procyanidin B2 was detected when fed in combination with high-degree of polymerization (DP) oligomers (>DP8) [ 32, 33]. The increase in vascular oxLDL concentration has also been associated with an increase in proteosomal degradation of eNOS, thus inverting the eNOS/iNOS ratio. Epicatechin has been shown to protect endothelial cells against both oxLDL-mediated cytotoxicity and loss of eNOS protein [ 66].

Mechanisms underlying flavanols direct effects have been mainly assessed by in vitro studies. However, in vivo studies (biological systems) have been useful for evaluating in vitro evidence. The health benefits of Aduna’s Super-Cacao go beyond heart health. It also improves the elasticity of arteries, enhances blood circulation, and supports gut health. Moreover, this cacao powder is rich in mood-boosting compounds, protein, fibre, antioxidants, magnesium, and potassium. All these nutrients contribute to a myriad of health benefits, including skin health and reduced anxiety. Roasting: gently roasting the beans to remove bacteria and bring out flavour (this is when the high flavanol beans in our Super-Cacao are roasted using the innovative process to retain the high flavanol content)

Journals

This was confirmed when the interaction of flavanols and procyanidins (dimers to hexamers) with liposomes (composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserin) did not influence its membrane fluidity or lipid lateral phase separation [ 39].

In vitro study showed that procyanidins are hydrolyzed into oligomers when passing through the gastric lumen, due to the high acidity of the medium (pH 2) [ 19]. Given the above, it was hypothesized that gastric de-polymerization of procyanidins favors their absorption by the small intestine. However, in vivo studies in both animals and humans have shown that both monomeric and oligomeric flavanols remain stable during gastric digestion [ 20, 21, 22, 23]. While the gastric concentrations of epicatechin and procyanidins B2, B5 (dimeric) and C1 (trimeric) did not significantly change over the stomach transit period [ 19]. Consumption of 3 cocoa doses in subjects with LDL ≥3.23 mmol/L, resulted in significantly ↓ serum [LDL], after 4 wk

Benefits of Cocoa Flavanols

Ciumărnean L, Milaciu MV, Runcan O, et al. The effects of flavonoids in cardiovascular diseases. Molecules. 2020;25(18):4320. doi:10.3390/molecules25184320 Before diving into the world of cocoa powders, it’s crucial to understand why the fat content, specifically cocoa butter, matters so much. Cocoa butter is the primary source of flavour in cocoa powder; therefore, a higher fat content often translates to a more flavorful and aromatic cocoa experience. Oxidative stress also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension (HTA), which constitutes one of the main risk factors in the development and rapid progression of atherosclerosis. In a murine model of arterial hypertension (DOCA-salt HTA), the effect of two different doses of (-)-epicatechin on the activity of NADPH oxidase were studied. Results show that the chronic administration (5 weeks) of 10mg/kg of epicatechin significantly reduces the activity of this enzymatic complex, plasma markers of oxidative stress, and vascular production of O 2 −.