DÜSSELDORF, Germany--Consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa may benefit female skin, according to new German research (J Nutr, 136, 6:1565-69, 2006).
For 12 weeks, two groups of women consumed either a high-flavanol (326 mg/d; 61 mg/d epicatechin, 20 mg/d catechin) or low-flavanol (27 mg/d; 6.6 mg/d epicatechin, 1.6 mg/d catechin)) cocoa powder dissolved in 100 mL water. Photoprotection and indicators of skin condition were assayed at baseline and during the intervention. Following exposure of selected skin areas to 1.25 x minimal erythemal dose (MED) of radiation from a solar simulator, ultraviolet (UV)-induced erythema was significantly decreased in the high-flavanol group by 25 percent after 12 weeks of treatment, whereas no change occurred in the low-flavanol group. In addition, ingestion of high-flavanol cocoa led to increases in blood flow of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, decreases in roughness and scaling, and increases in skin density, thickness and skin hydration, whereas none of these variables was affected in the low-flavanol cocoa group.
The researchers concluded dietary flavanols from cocoa contribute to endogenous photoprotection, improve dermal blood circulation, and affect cosmetically relevant skin surface and hydration variables.
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