Cocoa extract and use thereof

1. A method for the treatment of dysphoria, comprising administering an effective amount of a cocoa extract to a patient in need thereof, wherein the cocoa extract is obtained by the extraction of non-defatted cocoa nibs obtained from cocoa beans which have not been fermented or have been allowed to ferment for no more than three days, having a polyphenol content of more than 25% by weight.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract has a polyphenol content of at least 30% by weight.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract has a polyphenol content of from 30 to 70% by weight.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract has a theobromine content of at least 5% by weight.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract a theobromine content of less than 5% by weight.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dysphoria is not associated with any diagnosed clinical depression or anxiety.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract is obtained by solvent extraction of the cocoa nibs.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the solvent is selected from C1 to C6 alcohols or ketones, and mixtures thereof, optionally in admixture with water.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the solvent is selected from ethanol, acetone, 2-butanol, 2-propanol and mixtures thereof, optionally in admixture with water.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract comprises less than 2% by weight phenylethylamine.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract comprises from 0.1 to 10% by weight of cocoa fats.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cocoa extract comprises from 0.2 to 5% by weight of cocoa fats.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cocoa fats are non-triglyceride lipids.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract comprises:

(i) from 35 to 70% by weight cocoa polyphenols;

(ii) from 1 to 10% by weight xanthines;

(iii) less than 2% by weight phenylethylamine; and

(iv) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of cocoa fats.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract comprises from 15 to 40% by weight protein.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract comprises from 2 to 12% by weight sugars.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract is provided as part of a food or confectionery product.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract is provided as a pharmaceutical composition or supplement.

19. A method for the treatment of dysphoria, comprising administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a cocoa extract to a patient in need thereof, wherein the cocoa extract is obtained by the extraction of non-defatted cocoa beans which have not been fermented or have been allowed to ferment for not more than three days, having a polyphenol content of more than 25% by weight, wherein the composition does not comprise a dopamine D2 receptor agonist.

20. A method for the treatment of dysphoria, comprising orally administering an effective amount of a cocoa extract to a patient in need thereof, wherein the cocoa extract is obtained by the extraction of non-defatted cocoa beans with a mixture of acetone and water in a weight ratio of water:acetone of from 1:1 to 1:9 which have not been fermented or have been allowed to ferment for not more than three days, having a polyphenol content of more than 25% by weight.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract is spray-dried.

22. A method of claim 21 wherein the spray-dried cocoa extract is agglomerated in a fluidized bed.