{
  "slug": "cocoa-extract",
  "name": "Cocoa Extract (Cocoa Flavanols)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Cocoa flavanols",
    "Theobroma cacao extract",
    "(-)-Epicatechin (representative flavanol)"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "eNOS/NO pathway activation supporting endothelium-dependent vasodilation (research context)",
    "Flavanol antioxidant activity",
    "BDNF / neuroplasticity signaling (research context)",
    "Gut-microbiota modulation",
    "Phosphodiesterase inhibition via theobromine"
  ],
  "target": [
    "NOS3 (eNOS)",
    "BACE1",
    "APP",
    "Vascular endothelium",
    "Oxidative-stress markers"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "cardiovascular / endothelial-function markers (research context)",
    "blood pressure within the normal range (research context)",
    "cognitive function in older adults (research context)",
    "antioxidant / oxidative-stress markers",
    "mood and psychological well-being (research context)"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "CARDIO",
    "NEURO",
    "MOOD",
    "GUT",
    "SKIN",
    "BLOOD"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "A",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 61,
  "evidence_breakdown": {
    "meta_sr": 4,
    "human_rct": 36,
    "total_indexed": 61
  },
  "dosage_range": "200-900 mg cocoa flavanols/day (research context · EFSA endothelial-function condition ≥200 mg flavanols/day; COSMOS cardiovascular RCT used 500 mg flavanols/day over 3.6 years; cognition RCTs 500-900 mg/day). Flavanol content varies enormously with processing — Dutch (alkalized) cocoa can lose >60% of flavanols, so a standardized flavanol figure is required.",
  "safety_notes": "Large-scale safety established in COSMOS (n=21,442 · 500 mg flavanols/day · 3.6 years · no serious safety signal · Sesso 2022 PMID 35294962); general tolerability comparable to placebo across RCTs. Theobromine at high total intake (>1000 mg/day) can cause palpitations, insomnia, or GI irritation, and extracts carry trace caffeine (1-4%). Cocoa is a natural accumulator of cadmium and lead — a California Prop 65 / heavy-metal sourcing consideration rather than an efficacy issue. Pregnancy/lactation should limit total theobromine; caution with MAOI medication (tyramine content). Not a substitute for medical care; people with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or on medication should consult a healthcare professional before use.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "Lawful dietary-supplement ingredient under DSHEA; cocoa flavanols carry an FDA qualified health claim (2023) on the relationship between high-flavanol cocoa powder and reduced cardiovascular-disease risk (qualified — mandatory limiting language). Structure/function claims permitted.",
    "efsa": "One authorized Art. 13.5 health claim (EU Reg 2014/462): 'Cocoa flavanols help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow' — condition ≥200 mg cocoa flavanols/day. Antioxidant and mood claims are non-authorized in the EU.",
    "anvisa": "Permitted dietary-supplement ingredient under RDC 243/2018 (Brazil is a major cocoa-producing country); no specific authorized functional claim — permitted as a constituent only."
  },
  "regulatory_markets": [
    {
      "market": "US",
      "status": "DSHEA supplement",
      "tier": "permitted"
    },
    {
      "market": "EU",
      "status": "Authorized claim",
      "tier": "authorized"
    },
    {
      "market": "CN",
      "status": "Supplement (CBEC)",
      "tier": "permitted"
    },
    {
      "market": "BR",
      "status": "ANVISA supplement",
      "tier": "permitted"
    }
  ],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/cocoa-extract/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-27",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-27",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "proprietary_research_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition and clinical-protocol internals are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}