Mars Botanical Newsroom

The Mars Botanical newsroom is a media resource on cocoa science.

News Releases

Cocoa, but not tea may help lower blood pressure, German experts say - Earthtimes.org
May 12, 2008

Foods rich in cocoa appear to reduce blood pressure but drinking tea may not, according to a team of German researchers.

Study: Pregnant Women Should Eat Dark Chocolate Daily - FOX News
April 30, 2008

Pregnant women craving dark chocolate, take note: Eating it daily is actually good for you and your baby. A recent medical study said that by eating dark regularly during pregnancy, women are 69 percent less likely to develop preeclampsia, a major complication with cardiovascular manifestations.

Wanted: Women to eat chocolate for a year - CNN.com
April 28, 2008

Scientists in the UK are seeking 150 women to eat chocolate every day for a year in the cause of medical research. Women taking part in the study must eat one bar of chocolate a day. The trial, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, eastern England, will test whether a natural compound found in cocoa, the main ingredient of chocolate, could cut the risk of heart disease among women with diabetes.

Tough job: Volunteers needed for chocolate study - Reuters
April 28, 2008

Calling all chocoholics: British researchers recruiting volunteers willing to eat a bar of chocolate daily for a year, guilt-free and all in the name of science. The trial starting in June will explore whether compounds called flavonoids found in chocolate and other foods can reduce the risk of heart disease for menopausal women with type 2 diabetes, the researchers said on Monday.

The DNA of Antioxidants (from Cooking Light) - CNN.com/health
April 16, 2008

There are thousands of antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, meats, poultry, fish, chocolate, coffee, and red wine. When German researchers recently looked at the impact of small amounts of polyphenols in dark chocolate on blood pressure, they found that just 0.2 ounces of dark chocolate shaved three systolic points and two diastolic points off hypertensive subjects' blood pressure.

The Best Foods For Runners - Fitness Mamas Blog
April 18, 2008

Reprinting of 2006 Runner’s World article by Liz Applegate Ph.D.: Chocolate contains potent antioxidants called flavonols that can boost heart health. Study found a group of soccer players had lower blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, and less LDL cholesterol after just two weeks of eating chocolate daily. Other research suggests that the chocolate flavonols ease inflammation and help prevent blood substances from becoming sticky, which lowers the risk of potential blood clots. Mars has developed a procedure that apparently retains much of the antioxidant powers of the flavonols, and their research shows just a little over an ounce (200 calories worth) of Dove dark chocolate per day has heart-healthy benefits.

Flavanol Content of Cocoa Cut During Manufacturing - Food Navigator Europe
April 18, 2008

Article referencing the study from Journal of Agriculture & Food Chemistry- The large decrease found in the flavonoid content of natural cocoa powder, together with the observed change in the monomeric flavanol profile that results from the alkalisation treatment, could affect the antioxidant properties and the polyphenol bioavailability of cocoa powder products. Confectionary giant Mars, for example, has been pro-active in research into the potential health benefits of flavanols from cocoa and has been sponsoring researchers in Germany and the US for about 15 years.

Science is in the kitchen, and the results are good for our taste buds - Science News
April 6, 2008

Mars Botanical employee César Vega is quoted on the topic of how scientific research methods are spilling into the restaurant kitchen. The article positions Mars Botanical as a food industry leader in the area of molecular gastronomy research and cites Vega's upcoming article in the international journal Trends in Food Science & Technology in the footnotes. (Vega, C., and J. Ubbink. In press. Molecular gastronomy: A food fad or science supporting innovative cuisine? Trends in Food Science & Technology). more >>

Mars chocolate company sets up 'best practices' farm centre for cocoa in Philippines - African Agriculture Blog
April 6, 2008

Post acknowledges that a contributor to increasing chocolate consumption is consumers’ recognition of the antioxidant content from flavanols in cocoa which makes it ideal for cardiovascular health. Mars cocoa center in Philippines is mentioned.

Apple gaining functional ingredient makeover - Nutraingredients
April 1, 2008

A UK company (Coressence) is marketing the ingredients on their flavanol-rich potential at foods, drinks and supplements and says its apple varieties have 250,000mg of flavanols per kg, more than green tea and cocoa. The company is keen to avoid links with antioxidants, preferring flavanol-based marketing language and the only claim it makes about the ingredient is: "Evesse helps maintain a healthy circulation".

Mars: Sterol chocolate reduces cholesterol levels - Nutraingredients
March 29, 2008

A study conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Illinois and Mars, Incorporated found that, as part of a balanced, low-fat diet, the daily consumption of CocoaVia® dark chocolate bars with added plant sterols (natural plant extracts) significantly lowered total cholesterol by 2 percent and LDL cholesterol (or "bad" cholesterol) by 5.3 percent in individuals with elevated cholesterol.

New Study Suggests Special Cocoa May Lead to Sustained Improvement in Blood Vessel Function
March 6, 2007

Americans looking to manage their blood cholesterol levels may have a new weapon in helping to promote heart health, suggests a new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Flavanols in Cocoa May Offer Benefits to the Brain
February 18, 2007

Americans looking to manage their blood cholesterol levels may have a new weapon in helping to promote heart health, suggests a new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

New Study Suggests Plant Sterol-Enriched Chocolate Snack Bars Support Heart Health
November 6, 2006

Americans looking to manage their blood cholesterol levels may have a new weapon in helping to promote heart health, suggests a new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Flavanol-Rich Cocoa Improves Blood Vessel Function in Aging Baby Boomer Study Participants
July 31, 2006

Flavanol-rich cocoa could offer powerful cardiovascular benefits for the nearly 78 million baby boomers in the United States today, suggests a new study published in the August issue of the Journal of Hypertension.

Groundbreaking Research Highlights Myriad Health Benefits of Flavanol-Rich Cocoa
July 25, 2006

Research has demonstrated that consumption of naturally occurring compounds in cocoa can lead to a range of circulatory health benefits including the first observed brain and cardiovascular blood flow improvements, according to research published in the latest issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, in a supplement that focuses on the potential health benefits of flavanol-rich cocoa.

New Study Reveals Components of Cocoa May Enhance the Appearance of the Skin
June 2006

Cocoa butter has long been used topically in many skin creams and cosmetics because it is thought to be good for the skin. Now, new research just published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals the potential benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa and how it might actually benefit skin from the inside out.

New Method Discovered to Isolate Flavanols in Cocoa
March 28, 2006

As research continues to support a link between the consumption of cocoa flavanols and cardiovascular health, a recent scientific advancement will make it easier to investigate the individual compounds in cocoa thought to be responsible for the benefit.

Groundbreaking Cocoa Science Research Revealed at the National Academies
February 9, 2006

According to leading world scientists who convened at the National Academies, the cocoa plant holds tremendous potential to impact public health and improve the socioencomic and ecological landscape of the countries where it's grown.

New Cocoa Flavanol Study Provides Important Evidence on why Plant Foods are Beneficial to Cardiovascular Health
January 16, 2006

While a growing number of studies have shown a link between flavanol-rich cocoa and cardiovascular health, scientists have now substantiated a causal relationship between specific compounds present in cocoa and cardiovascular health.

Flavanols In the News

Research Snapshot

Visit our research page for more information on these studies.

Liwei Gu¹, Aaron C. Hager¹, Rebecca J. Robbins², Ronald L. Prior^1
1Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, 1212 Marshall Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202; ²Analytical and Applied Sciences Group, Mars Snack Food US, 800 High Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey, 07840.

REBECCA J. ROBBINS*, JADWIGA LEONCZAK, J. CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, CATHERINE KWIK-URIBE, RONALD L. PRIOR§, AND LIWEI GU#
*Analytical and Applied Sciences, Mars, Incorporated, 800 High Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840
USDA, ARS Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center 1120 Marshall Street Little Rock, AR 72202
#Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205

Kenny TP, Keen CL, Schmitz HH, Gershwin ME. Immune effects of cocoa procyanidin oligomers on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Kenny TP, Keen CL, Schmitz HH, Gershwin ME. 2007;232:293-300.

Heiss C, Finis D, Kleinbongard P, Hoffmann A, Rassaf T, Kelm M, Sies H. Sustained increase in flow-mediated dilation after daily intake of high flavanol cocoa drink over one week. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2007;49:74-80.

Heinrich U, Neukam K, Tronnier H, Sies H, Wilhelm S. Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in women. Journal of Nutrition. 2006;136:1-5.

Fisher NDL, Hollenberg NK. Aging and vascular responses to flavanol-rich cocoa. Journal of Hypertension. 2006;24:1575-1580.

Polagruto JA, Wang-Polagruto JF, Braunn MM, Lee L, Kwik-Uribe C, Keen CL. Cocoa flavanol-enriched snack bars containing phytosterols effectively lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2006;106:1804-1813.

Kelm MA, Johnson JC, Robbins RJ, Hammerstone JF, Schmitz HH. High-performance liquid chromatography separation and purification of cacao (theobroma cacao l.) procyanidins according to degree of polymerization using a diol stationary phase. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2006;54:1571-1576.

Schroeter H, Heiss C, Balzer J, Kleinbongard P, Keen CL, Hollenberg NK, Sies H, Kwik-Uribe C., Schmitz HH, Kelm M. Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2006;108:1024-1029.

Heptinstall S, May J, Fox S, Kwik-Uribe C, Zhao L. Cocoa flavanols and platelet and leukocyte function: recent in vitro and ex vivo studies in healthy adults. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2006;47(Suppl 2):S197-S205

Grassi D, Necozione S; Lippi C; Croce G; Valeri L; Pasqualetti P; Desideri G; Blumberg JB; Ferri C. Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensives. Hypertension. 2005;46:398.

Heiss C, KIeinbongard P, Dejam A, Perre’ S, Schroeter H, Sies H, Kelm M. Acute consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa and the reversal of endothelial dysfunction in smokers. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005;46:1276-1283.

Fisher ND, Hollenberg NK. Flavanols for cardiovascular health: the science behind the sweetness. Journal of Hypertension. 2005;23:1453-1459.

Grassi D, Lippi C, Necozione S, Desideri G, Ferri C. Short-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005;81:611-614.

Fisher ND, Hughes M, Gerhard-Herman M, Hollenberg NK. Flavanol-rich cocoa induces nitric-oxide-dependent vasodilation in healthy humans. Journal of Hypertension. 2003;21:2281-2286.

Heiss C; Dejam A; Kleinbongard P; Schewe T; Sies H; Kelm M. Vascular effects of cocoa rich in flava-3-ols. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290:1030-1031.

Taubert D; Berkels R; Roesen R; Klaus W. Chocolate and blood pressure in elderly individuals with isolated systolic hypertension. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290:1029-1030.

Holt RR; Schramm DD; Keen CL; Lazarus SA; Schmitz HH. Chocolate consumption and platelet function. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002;287:2212-2213.