Cocoa Flavonoids Inhibit Diarrhea

Cocoa Flavonoids Inhibit Diarrhea

OAKLAND, Calif.--Flavonoids in cocoa may inhibit diarrhea, accordingto a mechanism of action study published in the Journal of Nutrition www.nutrition.org (135, 10:2320-25, 2005)

Confirming the anecdotal belief that cocoa beans relieve diarrhea, scientistsfrom Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) and Heinrich HeineUniversity in Dusseldorf, Germany, showed polyphenols contained in cocoadose-dependently inhibit intestinal secretion of the electrolyte chloride. Inthe in vitro study, the researchers compared the ability of cocoa flavanols aswell as compounds with similar molecular structures including quercetin andluteolin to influence movement of choloride ions across colonic epithelialcells. Addition of cocoa extract or cocoa flavanols to the mucosal side oftissues caused partial inhibition of chloride ion transport; quercetin andluteolin were similarly efficacious.

The researchers concluded these data indicate cocoa flavanols targetintestinal chloride ion transport and may serve as mild inhibitors of chloridesecretion in the intestine.