Cocoa flavanol and procyanidin supplementation inhibits platelet function. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Dietary flavanols and procyanidin oligomers from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) inhibit platelet function.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Jun;77(6):1466-73. PMID: 12791625
BACKGROUND: Flavonoids may be partly responsible for some health benefits, including antiinflammatory action and a decreased tendency for the blood to clot. An acute dose of flavanols and oligomeric procyanidins from cocoa powder inhibits platelet activation and function over 6 h in humans. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate whether 28 d of supplementation with cocoa flavanols and related procyanidin oligomers would modulate human platelet reactivity and primary hemostasis and reduce oxidative markers in vivo. DESIGN: Thirty-two healthy subjects were assigned to consume active (234 mg cocoa flavanols and procyanidins/d) or placebo (