Prevention Effects of Cacao Polyphenols on Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Cacao beans contain abundant polyphenols such as catechins and their polymers procy-anidins. Intake of cacao product in par ticular dark chocolate has various health promotion ef fects including prevention of lifestyle diseases. We here show that prevention ef fects of cacao polyphenols on hyperglycemia and adiposity: Cacao polyphenols promote translocation of glucose transpor ter 4 to the plasma membrane of muscle cells accompanied by phosphor ylation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and GLP-1 secretion; and they increase energy expenditure-related factors such as uncoupling proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 trough phosphor ylation of AMPK.