Use of cocoa extract
A cocoa extract obtainable by the extraction of non-defatted 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, may be used in the treatment or alleviation of obesity.
1. A method for the treatment or alleviation of obesity, comprising orally administering an effective amount of a cocoa extract, to a subject 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 said extract has a polyphenol content of at least 30% by weight.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said extract has a polyphenol content of from 30 to 70% by weight.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said extract has a theobromine content of at least 5% by weight.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said extract has a theobromine content of less than 5% by weight.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said extract is obtainable by solvent extraction of the cocoa nibs.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the solvent is selected from C1 to C6 alcohols or ketones, and mixtures thereof, optionally in admixture with water.
8. 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.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract comprises less than 2% by weight phenylethylamine.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said extract comprises from 0.1 to 10% by weight of cocoa fats.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said extract comprises from 0.2 to 5% by weight of cocoa fats.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cocoa fats are non-triglyceride lipids.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said 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.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said extract comprises from 15 to 40% by weight protein.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said extract comprises from 2 to 12% by weight sugars.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein said extract is provided as part of a food or confectionery product.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein said extract is provided as a pharmaceutical composition or supplement.
18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the extract has a polyphenol content of at least 30% weight.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the extract comprises the extract of claim 13 .
21. A method for the treatment or alleviation of obesity, comprising orally administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a cocoa extract, to a subject 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 no 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.
22. A method for the treatment or alleviation of obesity, comprising orally administering an effective amount of a cocoa extract, to a subject 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 no more than three days, having a polyphenol content of more than 25% by weight.
23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cocoa extract is spray-dried.