Low Plasma Appearance of (+)-Catechin and (-)-Catechin Compared with Epicatechin after Consumption of Beverages Prepared from Nonalkalized or Alkalized Cocoa-A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial.

Flavan-3-ols are claimed to be responsible for the cardioprotective effects of cocoa. Alkalized cocoa powder (ALC), commonly used for many non-confectionary products, including beverages, provides less (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and procyanidins and more (-)-catechin than nonalkalized cocoa powder (NALC). This may affect the plasma appearance of monomeric flavan-3-ol stereoisomers after consumption of NALC vs.