Flavonoid-Rich Dark Chocolate Improves Endothelial Function and Increases Plasma Epicatechin Concentrations in Healthy Adults
Mary B. Engler, PhD,
Marguerite M. Engler, PhD,
Chung Y. Chen, PhD,
Mary J. Malloy, MD,
Amanda Browne, BS,
Elisa Y. Chiu, BS, MS,
Ho-Kyung Kwak, PhD,
Paul Milbury, MS,
Steven M. Paul, PhD,
Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, FACN and
Michele L. Mietus-Snyder, MD
Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Department of Physiological Nursing (M.B.E., M.M.E., A.B., E.Y.C., M.L.M.-S.), Boston, Massachusetts
Office of Research (S.M.P.), Boston, Massachusetts
School of Nursing, Cardiovascular Research Institute (M.J.M.), Boston, Massachusetts
School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, Antioxidant Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University (C.Y.C., H.-K.K., P.M., J.B.), Boston, Massachusetts

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Fig. 1. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD %) of the brachial artery in the low-flavonoid and high-flavonoid dark chocolate groups.
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Fig. 2. Effect of low-flavonoid and high-flavonoid dark chocolate on plasma epicatechin. Mean ± SEM.
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Copyright © 2004 by the American College of Nutrition.