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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

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Spleen lymphocyte function modulated by a cocoa-enriched diet.

E Ramiro-Puig¹, F J Pérez-Cano, C Ramírez-Santana

¹Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Clinical and Experimental Immunology

|June 15, 2007

Summary

A high-cocoa diet in rats reduced inflammatory markers and modulated immune cell activity. This suggests cocoa

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Nutritional Science
Pharmacology

Background:

Cocoa flavonoids demonstrate in vitro immunomodulatory effects.
Previous research indicates cocoa's potential to down-regulate lymphocyte and macrophage activation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the in vivo effects of a long-term, cocoa-rich diet on immune responses in young rats.
To assess the impact of dietary cocoa on macrophage cytokine secretion and lymphocyte function.

Main Methods:

Young rats were fed diets containing 4% or 10% natural cocoa for 3 weeks.
Spleen immune function was analyzed, including lymphocyte composition, proliferation, cytokine, and immunoglobulin secretion.
Peritoneal macrophage activation was assessed via tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion.

Main Results:

A 10% cocoa diet significantly reduced TNF-alpha secretion by macrophages, indicating anti-inflammatory activity.
Dietary cocoa increased lymphocyte proliferation rates but down-regulated T helper 2 (Th2) related cytokines and immunoglobulin secretion.
Immune cell analysis revealed an increased spleen B cell proportion and decreased T helper cell percentage.

Conclusions:

High-dose cocoa consumption functionally down-regulates immune responses in rats.
These findings suggest potential benefits of cocoa in managing hypersensitivity and autoimmune conditions.