The Kuna Indians may have a reduced frequency of myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and cancer due to their very high intake of flavonol-rich cocoa.
Flavanols, the Kuna, cocoa consumption, and nitric oxide.
AI Summary
Key Findings
Abstract
The Kuna Indians, who reside in an archipelago on the Caribbean Coast of Panama, have very low blood pressure (BP) levels, live longer than other Panamanians, and have a reduced frequency of myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and cancer-at least on their death certificates. One outstanding feature of their diet includes a very high intake of flavanol-rich cocoa. Flavonoids in cocoa activate nitric oxide synthesis in healthy humans. The possibility that the high flavanol intake protects the Kuna against high BP, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and cancer is sufficiently intriguing and sufficiently important that large, randomized controlled clinical trials should be pursued.
Affiliation
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
External References
- PubMed ID:
- 20409950
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