Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Government Funding Lapse
Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

cocoa extract

A dietary supplement containing cocoa extract derived from the cacao bean, with potential vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, cognition enhancing and chemopreventive activities. Cocoa extract contains flavonoids, including high levels of epicatechin, catechin, procyanidins and xanthines, such as theobromine. Upon oral administration, the bioactive ingredients in the cocoa extract inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and increase the production of nitric oxide (NO) through the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This causes vasodilation, improves blood flow, and decreases blood pressure. The cocoa extract also improves insulin sensitivity, enhances cognition, and decreases the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. In addition, this extract exerts antioxidant effects and is able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a result, healthy cells are protected from oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Synonym:cocoa extract supplement
Search NCI's Drug Dictionary