Cocoa flavanols contribute to faster oxygen uptake kinetics, improved blood flow

Medical XPress / Liverpool Hope University / European Journal of Applied Physiology / Nutrients ^ | Aug. 4, 2021 | Daniel G. Sadler et al, Rosalind Baynham et al

[cherry]

well I have to go for a repeat A1C so I've been good in not eating chocolate candy....

but the minute I'm tested and if my A1C is better, I'm heading straight for a Hersheys almond chocolate bar..

[daniel1212]

Preferably both, at the lowest price, but unless it is the version processed with alkali ("Dutch process") then it gives me heartburn unless it is in a cooked form. Otherwise two cups a day with the other is my "coffee." Helps with low blood sugar.

[ConservativeMind]

Unfortunately, they found no Dutch-processed “normal” cocoa powder that had a reasonable amount of flavanols for the amount of cadmium or the price.

However, there were some bars and chips that could be worthy.

The best fit for a form of “Dutch-processed cocoa powder” would be Cocovia unsweetened “daily cocoa extract product.” One sealed pouch provides 450 mg of dutch-processed cocoa extract. It tastes good. You could have half a pouch a day, in water no warmer than 125 degrees, and get over 225 mg of flavanols.

The flavanols start becoming denatured over that temperature. Cocoavia (Mars) patented their specific low temperature approach.

I will tell you I used Hershey's Special Dark powder for several years, nearly daily. I loved the taste with my yogurt.

Cocoavia does go on 30% off sales, both on Cocoavia.com and Amazon. That would be the time to stock up, as we did.

If you would like the best chips or bar results, I can get those for you.

[daniel1212]

"Unfortunately, they found no Dutch-processed “normal” cocoa powder that had a reasonable amount of flavanols for the amount of cadmium or the price."

Thanks. Do you have a link for the list of product results? WP says,

Compared to other processes, Dutch process cocoa contains lower amounts of flavonols (antioxidants).^[3] The effect this has on nutritional value is disputed. Professor Irmgard Bitsch of the Institut für Ernährungswissenschaft, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen claims that the reduction of antioxidants due to the process is not significant and enough polyphenols and procyanidins remain in the cocoa.^[4] One study determined that 60% of natural cocoa's original antioxidants were destroyed by light dutching and 90% were destroyed by heavy dutching.^[5] However, natural cocoa has such high levels of antioxidants that even a 60% reduction leaves it high on the list of antioxidant-rich foods.^[6]

"The best fit for a form of “Dutch-processed cocoa powder” would be Cocovia unsweetened “daily cocoa extract product.” One sealed pouch provides 450 mg of dutch-processed cocoa extract. It tastes good. You could have half a pouch a day, in water no warmer than 125 degrees, and get over 225 mg of flavanols."

I myself do not spend much on any special health products, but Swansons has Full Spectrum Cacao (Raw Cocoa) with 400 mg per serving = 1 capsule; 60 servings per container 2 for $3.49 ($6.30 on Amazon for just one of the same). I do not know how many flavanols it has.

[GOPJ]

Do you have a link?

Amazon doesn’t show product from Mars... Mars factories are so clean you can eat on the floors - well maybe not that clean - but close. Link?

[ConservativeMind]

The link to the product results:

https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/cocoa-powders-and-chocolates-sources-of-flavanols/cocoa-flavanols/#results

The link to the Cocovia we use:

https://smile.amazon.com/CocoaVia-Supplement-Chocolate-Unsweetened-Supplements/dp/B07WC72BJC

Or

https://www.cocoavia.com/products/cocoa-flavanol-powder-drink-mix-sugar-free-dark-chocolate-1-month

You will note the ingredient lists Dutch-processed cocoa!

[ConservativeMind]

Just put it in the post after yours, sir.

[ConservativeMind]

The issue with flavanols versus the rest is that you can get the rest in tea and grape seed extract, in general, but not the specific ones cocoa has as its flavanols.

[daniel1212]

"The link to the product results: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/cocoa-powders-and-chocolates-sources-of-flavanols/cocoa-flavanols/#results"

Thanks but it does not actually tell me specifics: "Join to unlock the full report." However, I did find a page Is Hershey's Special Dark better than other dark chocolate bars or cocoa powders?

ConsumerLab.com found that Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar actually had the lowest concentration of cocoa flavanols among 16 popular dark chocolates it tested....Although ConsumerLab.com did not test Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder, it did test Hershey's "100% cacao, natural unsweetened" cocoa powder -- which is not treated with alkali. This powder contained one of the highest concentrations of flavanols among the cocoa powders tested, providing about 24 mg of flavanols per gram, while most powders provided between and 12 mg and 26 mg per gram. However, Hershey's natural cocoa powder was found to be contaminated with cadmium -- which is a kidney toxin, although it was not alone in this respect: Every cocoa powder tested was found to be contaminated with cadmium and/or lead, another toxic heavy metal.

The amount of cadmium found in a 1 tablespoon serving of Hershey's natural cocoa powder was just over the daily limit for chronic (long-term) cadmium exposure as established in Canada (the U.S. has not established a limit). It would seem best to use such products in moderation. Relatively high amounts of cadmium were also found by ConsumerLab in some of the dark chocolates; in fact, two had several times the Canadian limit, although cadmium was not an issue in Hershey's Special Dark chocolate.

But as for the Cocovia unsweetened “daily cocoa extract product,” at $40.00 for 4.20oz. I am not buying. $3.00 a lb for the Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder ill do for now, thanks.

[ConservativeMind]

Their powder review was in 2019 for “Hershey's Cocoa Special Dark - 100% Cacao” (8 oz container with top). It's included on the table with the poor results I previously posted.

The Cocoavia powder, for 225 mg of cocoa flavanols without cadmium, lead, or Acrylamide issues, would be under $0.60 a day and give you 0.008 mcg of cadmium. To get that amount of cocoa flavanols from the Special Dark powder would cost $1.46, at a retail price of $4.29. That would be 15 tablespoons, which would give you 48 mcgs of cadmium a day.

[GOPJ]

Although ConsumerLab.com did not test Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder, it did test Hershey's "100% cacao, natural unsweetened" cocoa powder -- which is not treated with alkali. This powder contained one of the highest concentrations of flavanols among the cocoa powders tested, providing about 24 mg of flavanols per gram, while most powders provided between and 12 mg and 26 mg per gram

That's the one I use for 'hot chocolate'...

[daniel1212]

"Their powder review was in 2019 for “Hershey's Cocoa Special Dark - 100% Cacao” (8 oz container with top). It's included on the table with the poor results I previously posted. The Cocoavia powder, for 225 mg of cocoa flavanols without cadmium, lead, or Acrylamide issues, would be under $0.60 a day and give you 0.008 mcg of cadmium. To get that amount of cocoa flavanols from the Special Dark powder would cost $1.46, at a retail price of $4.29. That would be 15 tablespoons, which would give you 48 mcgs of cadmium a day."

Well then I guess I will go without all these flavanols I cannot even get Hershey's Cocoa Special Dark at Walmart shipped anymore (out of stock, along with multitudes of oter products as a precursor of what is to come). I wonder how many flavanols Swansons Full Spectrum Cacao (Raw Cocoa) with 400 mg Theobroma cacao per serving = 1 capsule; 60 servings per container (2 for $3.49) has?

[ConservativeMind]

Daniel1212, I would like to know, too.

I have to tell you I weirded myself out over that cadmium calculation. I know I have gone through, easily, more than eight of those 8 ounce Special Dark powder containers over the years. It was easily the best tasting one I was ever able to find.

Some cadmium is flushed out, while the rest stays in our body. It can cause real issues that one shouldn't fret over, if in Christ, but if preventable, I feel encouraged to do so.

[daniel1212]

"Daniel1212, I would like to know, too. I have to tell you I weirded myself out over that cadmium calculation. I know I have gone through, easily, more than eight of those 8 ounce Special Dark powder containers over the years. It was easily the best tasting one I was ever able to find."

Cheap also at $3. but out of stock for online shipping at Walmart, along with multitudes of other products. Precursor of worse to come.

Some cadmium is flushed out, while the rest stays in our body. It can cause real issues that one shouldn't fret over, if in Christ, but if preventable, I feel encouraged to do so.

Well, I may have gone thru about eight of those 8 ounce Special Dark powder containers over the last 2 years so I should cut down the concentration if I get more. As a kid my dad used to get "Postum" for use once in a while, which tastes very good, but now is expensive.