Editing Cocoa bean (section)

== Phytochemicals and research ==

[[File:Theobromin - Theobromine.svg|thumb|Structure of [[theobromine]] ([[IUPAC]] name: 3,7-dimethyl-1''H''-purine-2,6-dione)]]

Cocoa contains various [[phytochemical]]s, such as [[flavanols]] (including [[epicatechin]]), [[procyanidins]], and other [[flavanoids|flavonoids]]. A systematic review presented moderate evidence that the use of flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products causes a small (2 mmHg) blood pressure lowering effect in healthy adults—mostly in the short term.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ried|first1=Karin|last2=Fakler|first2=Peter|last3=Stocks|first3=Nigel P|date=25 April 2017|title=Effect of cocoa on blood pressure|url=https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008893.pub3|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2017|issue=5|pages=CD008893|doi=10.1002/14651858.cd008893.pub3|issn=1465-1858|pmc=6478304|pmid=28439881}}</ref> The highest levels of cocoa flavanols are found in raw cocoa and to a lesser extent, dark chocolate, since flavonoids degrade during cooking used to make chocolate.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6430777.stm | work=BBC News | title=Cocoa nutrient for 'lethal ills' | date=11 March 2007 | access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref>

The beans contain [[theobromine]], and between 0.1% and 0.7% caffeine, whereas dry coffee beans are about 1.2% caffeine.<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=24580540|year=2014|title=Cocoa phytochemicals: Recent advances in molecular mechanisms on health|journal=Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition|volume=54|issue=11|pages=1458–72 |last1=Kim |first1=Jiyoung |last2=Kim |first2=Jaekyoon |last3=Shim |first3=J. |last4=Lee |first4=C.Y. |last5=Lee |first5=K.W. |last6=Lee |first6=H.J. |doi=10.1080/10408398.2011.641041 |s2cid=20314911}}</ref> [[Theobromine]] found in the [[cocoa solids]] is fat soluble.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baggott |first1=M.J. |last2=Childs |first2=E. |last3=Hart |first3=A.B. |last4=de Bruin |first4=E. |last5=Palmer |first5=A.A. |last6=Wilkinson |first6=J.E. |last7=de Wit |first7=H. |title=Psychopharmacology of theobromine in healthy volunteers. |journal=Psychopharmacology |date=July 2013 |volume=228 |issue=1 |pages=109–118 |doi=10.1007/s00213-013-3021-0 |pmid=23420115 |pmc=3672386 }}</ref>