Cocoa-based food products

Abstract

The invention is concerned with food products comprising one or more cocoa bean products and a carotenoid compound, particularly with food products which are, or comprise, chocolate. The products of the invention may be used in reducing elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammatory damage, as well as improving tissue microcirculation and tissue oxygenation.

1 . A method of
 a. causing weight reduction;   b. reducing or delaying the symptoms of ageing; or   c. treating a skin condition   
       the method comprising administering a food product comprising a cocoa bean product and a carotenoid compound to an individual. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food product is chocolate or another food product containing cocoa solid, cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and/or their derivatives. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method
 (a) reduces postprandial cholesterol and triglyceride-aemias;   (b) reduces size of chylomicrons and increases their rate of their clearance;   (c) increases plasma molecular oxygen transport, microcirculation and tissue oxygen saturation;   (d) reduces postprandial inflammatory and oxidative stress; and/or   (e) reduces postprandial or other liver (micro-) damage and liver steatosis.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said individual is overweight (has a BMI over 25) or obese (has a BMI over 30). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises reducing, delaying or masking the visual signs of ageing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual is mature or elderly. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the skin condition is acne, chronic skin ulcerations, skin or tissue burns or other age or non-age related skin conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said individual has a condition selected from cerebro-vascular disorder, cardio-vascular disorder, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, type II diabetes, anaemia, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, non-rheumatoid arthritis, prostate or testes malfunction, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, cellulite, sarcopenia and cachexia. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , the cocoa bean product is consumed during a mealtime. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises 0.001 to 10 mg of carotenoid compound per gram of cocoa bean product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food product is chocolate and wherein the food product comprises at least 0.2 mg of carotenoid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid compound is comprised in a carotenoid-rich product, such as tomato or other fruit, vegetable or plant paste, sauce, concentrate, oleoresin, fraction or extract. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carotenoid compound is selected from the list comprising xanthophylls such as lutein, capsanthin and zeaxanthin and carotenes, such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, zeto-carotene, and lycopene compounds. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food product comprises a homogenous matrix containing the cocoa-bean products and the carotenoid compound. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food product is produced by admixing or blending together the cocoa bean products, the carotenoid compound and optionally one or more additional ingredients. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food product is a foodstuff selected from a bread, flour, cereal, biscuit, pastry, spread, filling, paste, sauce, mousse, cream, or yogurt.