Does epicatechin contribute to the acute vascular function effects of dark chocolate? A randomized, crossover study

Scope Cocoa, rich in flavan‐3‐ols, improves vascular function, but the contribution of specific flavan‐3‐ols is unknown. We compared the effects of pure epicatechin, a major cocoa flavan‐3‐ol, and chocolate. Methods and results In a randomized crossover study, twenty healthy men (40–80 years) were supplemented with: (1) 70g dark chocolate (150 mg epicatechin) with placebo capsules; (2) pure epicatechin capsules (2 × 50 mg epicatechin) with 75g white chocolate; and (3) placebo capsules with 75 g white chocolate (0 mg epicatechin). Vascular function (flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) and augmentation index (AIx)) were measured before and 2 hours after interventions. Epicatechin metabolites time‐profiles were measured in blood to calculate the bioavailability. Pure epicatechin did not significantly improve FMD (+0.75%; p = 0.10) or AIx (–2.2%; p = 0.23) compared to placebo. Dark chocolate significantly improved FMD (+0.96%; p = 0.04) and AIx (–4.6%; p = 0.02). Differences in improvements in FMD (+ 0.21%; p = 0.65) or Aix (–2.4%; p = 0.20) between pure epicatechin and dark chocolate were not significant. The bioavailability of epicatechin did not differ between pure epicatechin and dark chocolate ( p = 0.14). Conclusions Despite differences in epicatechin dose, improvements in vascular function after pure epicatechin and chocolate were similar and the bioavailability did not differ, suggesting a role for epicatechin.