title: Factors Affecting the Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion of Cocoa Flavanols in Humans.
abstract: Cocoa is rich in a subclass of flavonoids known as flavanols, the cardiovascular health benefits of which have been extensively reported. The appearance of flavanol metabolites in the systemic circulation after flavanol-rich food consumption is likely to mediate the physiological effects on the vascular system, and these levels are influenced by numerous factors, including food matrix, processing, intake, age, gender, or genetic polymorphisms, among others. This review will focus on our current understanding of factors affecting the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of cocoa flavanols in humans. Second, it will identify gaps in these contributing factors that need to be addressed to conclusively translate our collective knowledge into the context of public health, dietary guidelines, and evidence-based dietary recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading RG2 6AP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cifuentes-Gomez
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf 40225, Germany.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Mateos
authors.affiliation: Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading RG2 6AP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Isidro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Salvador
authors.affiliation: Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading RG2 6AP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: María Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Alañon
authors.affiliation: Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading RG2 6AP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jeremy P E
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D002099:Cacao / Q000378:metabolism*; D004063:Digestion; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D065569:Gastrointestinal Absorption; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids
keywords: (−)-epicatechin; absorption; cocoa flavanols; excretion; metabolism; pharmacokinetics