EPICATECHIN

Epicatechin is a strong antioxidant, has insulin mimic action and improves heart health. Dr. Norman Hollenberg of Harvard Medical School found that Kuna indians, who live on the San Blas Island Chain in Panama and drink high quantities of cocoa drinks, have a lower risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes compored to the Indians living on the mainland. Dr. Norman Hollenberg even suggests to consider epicatechin as a vitamin.

Attenuation of diabetes
Studies show that epicatechin and other flavonoids exert a protective role on osmotic fragility of cells, similar to that of insulin. The mechanism of action of epicatechin is different to that of insulin and remains speculative. In diabetic red blood cells epicatechin causes an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. This activity is significantly lower in type 2 diabetic patients.

Heart health
Epicatechin reduces lipid peroxidation and inhibits platelet aggregation. Epicatechin cause blood vessel dilation by regulating nitric oxide, a molecule secreted by the blood vessel endothelium to signal surrounding muscle to relax.

Research Reviews

Dietary Polyphenols and Health: Proceedings of the 1ste International Conference on Polyphenols and Health

Synonyms

(2R,3R)-2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl) -3,4-dihydro-1(2H) -benzopyran-3,5,7-triol; cis-3,3',4',5,7-Pentahydroxyflavane; Epicatechol; epi-Catechin;epi-Catechol;