Antidiabetic actions of cocoa flavanols

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Metabolic Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Dietary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) is gaining attention.
• Cocoa, rich in polyphenols like flavanols, is a potential natural agent for DMT2 chemoprevention.
• Flavanols may prevent or delay DMT2 by influencing insulin secretion and targeting insulin-sensitive tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular mechanisms of cocoa and flavanol chemopreventive activity against DMT2.
• To compile evidence from cell culture, animal models, and human trials.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cell culture studies.
• Literature review of animal model studies.
• Literature review of human interventional trials.

Main Results:

• Cocoa flavanols demonstrate insulin-like activity and regulate insulin signaling pathways.
• Flavanols enhance glucose uptake and repress glucose production.
• Cocoa flavanols show potential in improving lipid metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Cocoa flavanols possess chemopreventive properties relevant to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Molecular mechanisms include modulation of insulin secretion, glucose transport, and lipid metabolism.
• Further clarification of molecular pathways is required.