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EpicatechinHowever, in terms of antioxidant potential, it has been suggested that EC has less potency than closely related epigallocatechin-3-gallate flavonoid, also found in green tea. It has been suggested that the recent findings of cocoa consumption's positive health effects are mostly due to it's epicatechin content. One study, reported in the Jan. 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that epicatechin was directly linked to improved circulation and other hallmarks of cardiovascular health. In the study, it was found that pure epicatechin consumed by humans had much the same effect as did consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa. As a summary, the study's findings point to epicatechin as one of the compounds found in cocoa that has beneficial impacts on cardiovascular health. Epicatechin has, as have other catechins, shown promise in studies for the control of blood sugar and in blood sugar normalization, although exactly how this process works is currently under research. Epicatechin - StudiesMary B. Engler et al. Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate Improves Endothelial Function and Increases Plasma Epicatechin Concentrations in Healthy Adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 23, No. 3, 197-204 (2004). B. Buijsse, E. J. M. Feskens, F. J. Kok, and D. KromhoutCocoa intake, blood pressure, and cardiovascular mortality: the zutphen elderly study. Archives of Internal Medicine, February 27, 2006; 166(4): 411 - 417. H. Schroeter, C. Heiss, J. Balzer, P. Kleinbongard, C. L. Keen, N. K. Hollenberg, H. Sies, C. Kwik-Uribe, H. H. Schmitz, and M. Kelm. (-)-Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in humansPNAS, January 24, 2006; 103(4): 1024 - 1029. C. Heiss, P. Kleinbongard, A. Dejam, S. Perre, H. Schroeter, H. Sies, and M. Kelm. Acute Consumption of Flavanol-Rich Cocoa and the Reversal of Endothelial Dysfunction in SmokersJ. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 4, 2005; 46(7): 1276 - 1283. D. Grassi, C. Lippi, S. Necozione, G. Desideri, and C. FerriShort-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2005; 81(3): 611 - 614.
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