Cutaneous Photoprotective Activity of a Short‐term Ingestion of High‐Flavanol Cocoa: A Nutritional Intervention Study

Abstract

In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that prolonged oral administration of flavanol-rich cocoas extracts have photoprotective effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the photoprotective activity of short-time administration of a new variety of naturally selected cocoa extract rich in bioactive compounds. We selected a cocoa powder particularly rich in polyphenols, flavanols, caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. We then investigated, in 10 healthy subjects, the photoprotective effects of one week of daily oral administration of two doses of such powder. Phototesting with solar simulated radiation was performed at baseline and after cocoa supplementation. Visual assessment of the minimal erythema dose and spectrophotometric measurement of the "a" parameter were done after 24 h from the irradiation. Oral daily supplementation of 1 g of high-flavanol cocoa was not effective but a one-week administration of 4-6 g of cocoa induced a statistically significant increase in the visual erythema threshold and a significant reduction in the "a" parameter. We demonstrated that a new variety of naturally selected cocoa extract, even when administered for a short time, retains a dose-dependent photoprotective effect. These results are also indicative of the fact that topical sunscreens could be supplemented by a specific diet.

Cocoa Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota Interplay: Bioavailability, Prebiotic Effect, and Impact on Human Health

“…Cocoa polyphenols have effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, interacting with various relevant pathways associated with several health advantages. For instance, flavanol-rich cocoa and cocoa derivatives increase nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, augment flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and enhance microcirculation [ 2 , 3 ], induce vasodilation and reduce blood pressure [ 4 ], attenuate platelet aggregation and improve endothelial and vascular function [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Keratinocyte Carcinoma and Photoprevention: The Protective Actions of Repurposed Pharmaceuticals, Phytochemicals and Vitamins

“…In 2006, a clinical trial spanning over 12 weeks reported that a daily intake of 329 mg cocoa flavanols reduced UV-induced erythema by 25%, whereas a lower intake (27 mg) did not [151]. Other studies exploring shorter and longer intervention periods (1 and 24 weeks, respectively) had similar outcomes, resulting in increases in MED [150,152]. However, two studies investigated the effects of a higher dose (600 mg) over 12 weeks, and only one of these studies found a protective effect [153,154], suggesting that more research is needed to clarify the photoprotective effects of cocoa flavanols.…”

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“…Cocoa extract is a flavonoid that appears to confer dose‐dependent photoprotection (Table 3). 28 In a study by Heinrich et al 29 . participants were treated with either high‐ or low‐flavonol cocoa powder for 12 weeks.…”