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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.
1-30. (canceled)
A composition comprising (i) at least one cocoa polyphenol and (ii) L-arginine, in a combined amount effective to induce a physiological increase in nitric oxide (NO) production upon oral administration to a mammal.
A composition in a unit dosage form for therapeutic induction of vasorelaxation upon human or veterinary animal consumption comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.