SAN FRANCISCO—New research from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) reveals consuming high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decreases blood pressure, improves the health of blood vessels and increases the number of circulating angiogenic cells in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), indicate foods rich in flavanols, including cocoa products, tea, wine, and various fruits and vegetables, have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients. In the current study, the benefit seen from the twofold increase in circulating angiogenic cells was similar to that achieved by therapy with statin medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise and stopping smoking.
The randomized, controlled, crossover study followed 16 coronary artery disease patients aged 64 years (±three years) who received both a high-flavanol cocoa drink (containing 375 mg of flavanols) twice a day over 30 days and later a nutrient-matched low-flavanol cocoa drink (containing 9mg flavanols) twice a day over 30 days. Patients continued taking prescribed medications for their heart disease, including statins.
Researchers calculated the outcome of the cocoa intervention using blood pressure readings, ultrasound to measure dilation of the brachial artery, and cell assays to calculate the number and behavior of circulating angiogenic cells. Tests showed a 47-percent improvement in vasodilation of the brachial artery in the high-flavanol time period compared to the low-flavanol period. Circulating angiogenic cells also increased 2.2-fold, and systolic blood pressure decreased among the high-flavanol versus low-flavanol periods.
“Reduced blood vessel function is a hallmark of early development of coronary artery disease,” said Yerem Yeghiazarians, MD, senior author. “If we can improve the health and function of damaged blood vessels, heart disease patients will have a better chance of survival. Our findings demonstrate that a further increase in endothelial function and improvement in blood pressure can be achieved by complementing standard treatment with a flavanol-rich diet. The 80 million Americans impacted by heart disease may be glad to hear this.”
