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AssigneeMars, Incorporated
InventorsKati A. Chevaux, Harold H. Schmitz, Leo J. Romanczyk
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Foods and pharmaceuticals which contain cocoa and/or nut procyanidin(s) in combination with L-arginine are effective to induce a physiological increase in nitric oxide production in a mammal having ingested the product. A preferred food product is a confection, particularly a dark or milk chocolate containing nuts. The procyanidins may be natural or synthetic and may be provided by food ingredients such as chocolate liquor and/or cocoa solids prepared from underfermented beans and nut skins. The L-arginine may be natural or synthetic and may be provided by food ingredients such as nut meats, nut pastes, and/or nut flours, seeds, seed pastes, and/or seed flours, or gelatin. The beneficial health effects may include, for example, reduced blood pressure, resistance to cardiovascular disease, and anticancer activity.
A food product comprising at least one cocoa polyphenol and L-arginine in a combined amount effective to induce a physiological increase in nitric oxide production in a mammal after ingesting the food product.
A food product comprising (i) a procyanidin selected from the group consisting of cocoa, nut, or mixtures, wherein the amount of the procyanidin(s) are at least about 200 mg/ per 100 g of the food product, and (ii) L-arginine, wherein the amount of L-arginine is at least about 0.9 g per 100 g of the food product.
A pharmaceutical composition comprising cocoa and nut procyanidin(s), L-arginine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the procyanidin(s) and L-arginine are added in a combined amount effective to provide a cardiovascular benefit in a mammal after the composition is ingested.
A pharmaceutical composition comprising cocoa and nut procyanidin(s), L-arginine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the procyanidin(s) and L-arginine are added in a combined amount effective to act as a nitric oxide or nitric oxide synthase modulating agent in a mammal after the composition is ingested.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.