Can Chocolates Heal Human Illnesses?

Shristi Das, Amity University, Kolkata

Chocolate mainly consists of cocoa mass extracted from beans of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). Cocoa has been known for its ability to induce good health effects since ancient times. But often chocolate had been criticized for fats and sugar contents as these lead to the risk associated with health hazards. Recently, research works are going on biologically active phenolic compounds in cocoa and its effect on blood pressure regulation, atherosclerosis ageing, oxidative stress. The cocoa mass used in all chocolate preparations mainly consists of flavonol, cocoa phenols, procyanidins, etc.🍫

Flavonol

Consumption of Flavanol-containing milk chocolates (FCMCs) has been associated with a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, plasma and LDL-cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity.  It acts as a potential inducer of mitochondrial dysfunction and NO deficiency. FCMCs are a rich source of flavonoids. The monomers of flavanol- epicatechin and catechin, significantly decrease platelet adhesion in diabetic patients. Such chocolates have therapeutic agents that induce insulin resistance (resveratrol) and improve haemoglobin. Cocoa improves insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients, which is dependent on NO bioavailability in endothelial cells. Flavonol reduces insulin resistance by ameliorating NO bioavailability. Consumption of dark chocolate could be effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases, certain metabolic disease and angina. 

Cocoa phenols

These depict antioxidizing effects, thereby reducing oxidant stress in cells. These also depict pharmacological characteristics, such as inhibition of lipid peroxidation and oxidation. They modulate intestinal inflammation by reducing neutrophil infiltration and decrease the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines. Cocoa-phenols have anti-carcinogenic effects along with anti-proliferative, anti-mutagenic and chemo-protective effects. It has anti-radical properties that lead to antiplatelet effects, modulate anti-inflammatory and other important immune responses. These help in preventing the initiation of cancer by inhibiting the activation of carcinogens. The phenols also influence lipoprotein metabolism, resulting in the up-regulation of mature sterol-regulatory-element-binding proteins and LDL receptors. 

Cocoa mass

It contains proteins,  nitrogenous compounds and beneficial minerals like potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and magnesium. It also contains valeric acid (pentanoic acid) that is known to reduce stress. Cocoa stimulates changes in immune response and redox-sensitive signalling pathways involved in gene expression. It can even protect nerves from injury and inflammation. Oligomers of cocoa are potent stimulators of both adaptive and innate immunity. Cocoa depicts anti-malarial effects by increasing the availability of antioxidants in the plasma membrane and erythrocyte membrane. It increases NO levels in plasma, enhancing the immune system. It even leads to suppression of the toxicological effect of dioxins in body and for protection of skin from UV rays’ oxidative damage.

Procyanidins

It lowers the levels of leukotrienes and increases the levels of prostacyclin in comparison. Cocoa shows anti-proliferative effect due to the presence of procyanidins, that inhibit cell growth by blocking cell cycle in G2 or M-phase. Alongside, there is a decrease in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase which biosynthesize polyamines. Cocoa intake inhibits the growth of cancerous cells but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Effects of Cocoa (Chocolate) on various diseases:

Atherosclerosis

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is mainly due to oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defence. On platelets, the effect of cocoa improves clot prevention. Cocoa has a dual effect on platelets. It decreases platelet aggregation and reduces platelets adhesion.  

Blood pressure

Intake of dark chocolate reduces systolic blood pressure in all kind of hypertensive patients. The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect increases nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme and stearic acid-based reduction of diastolic blood pressure by Flavonol. It causes vasodilation by increasing serum NO levels and endothelial NO bioavailability. Flavonol increases the NO in endothelial cells via their capacity to activate vascular endothelial NO synthase. The antioxidant action leads to diminished inactivation of NO by free radicals through inhibition of NADPH oxidase.

Diabetes

Chocolates help in improving insulin secretion and sensitivity. Even the mechanisms of action includes inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption in the intestine. There are stimulations of insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta-cells, modulation of glucose uptake in the liver, that releases insulin from the liver. The activation of insulin receptor and glucose uptake in the insulin sensitive tissues and modulation of intracellular signalling pathways and gene expression. These positive effects on glucose homeostasis are also supported by polyphenols. 

Nervous system

The components of chocolate such as methylxanthines, caffeine and theobromine improve alertness and psychomotor activity under conditions like fatigue. It acts as diuretics and smooth muscle relaxants. Consumption of cocoa increases cerebral blood flow, that leads to the treatment of cerebral conditions such as dementia and stroke. Chocolate helps boost brain power, that could counteract the cognitive impairment and sleep deprivation in a person. It may improve attention, processing speed, working memory and verbal fluency greatly by increasing the cerebral blood volume in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Chocolates help in the production of serotonin (a calming neurotransmitter) which also lowers stress level. It has a beneficial effect on satiety, cognitive function and mood. A cocoa extract is known as lavado that reduces or prevents damage to nerve pathways in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. 

Also read: Thyroidectomy can be considered safe in obese patients.

Source:

1.Asimina Kerimi; Gary Williamson, The cardiovascular benefits of dark chocolate, Vascular Pharmacology, Science Direct, August 2015,Volume 71, Pages 11-15.

2. Higginbotham.E ; Taub. P.R., Cardiovascular Benefits of Dark Chocolate?, Curr Treat Options Cardio Med ,12 October 2015,17, 54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-015-0419-5

3. Andujar, M. C. Recio, R. M. Giner, and J. L. R´ıos, Cocoa Polyphenols and Their Potential Benefits for Human Health, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity-Source: PubMed, October 2012,Volume 2012,23 pages, Doi:10.1155/2012/906252

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233412315

4. CESAR G. FRAGA1; LUCAS ACTIS-GORETTA1; JAVIER I. OTTAVIANI1; FERNANDO CARRASQUEDO1; SILVINA B. LOTITO1;SHERYL LAZARUS3;HAROLD H. SCHMITZ3& CARL L. KEEN2,Regular consumption of a flavanol-rich chocolate can improve oxidant stress in young soccer players, Clinical & Developmental Immunology, March 2005,12(1),11–17

5. Andrew Scholey and Lauren Owen , Effects of chocolate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review, Nutr. Rev. 2013 Oct, 71(10), 665-81, doi: 10.1111/nure.12065. PMID: 24117885.

6.Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011;15(10):2779-2811. Doi:10.1089/ars.2010.3697

7. Latif R. Chocolate/cocoa and human health: a review. Neth J Med. 2013 Mar;71(2):63-8. PMID: 23462053.

8. Cooper KA, Donovan JL, Waterhouse AL, Williamson G. Cocoa and health: a decade of research. Br J Nutr. 2008 Jan;99(1):1-11. Doi: 10.1017/S0007114507795296. Epub 2007 Aug 1. PMID: 17666148.

• The Corrosion Prediction from the Corrosion Product Performance
• Nitrogen Resilience in Waterlogged Soybean plants
• Cell Senescence in Type II Diabetes: Therapeutic Potential
• Transgene-Free Canker-Resistant Citrus sinensis with Cas12/RNP
• AI Literacy in Early Childhood Education: Challenges and Opportunities