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Figure 4 Total Plasma Flavanol Metabolites and FMD

Two hours after the consumption of a cocoa drink containing 963 mg of flavanols at study entry (black squares), every study participant exhibited an increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and in plasma flavanol metabolites levels, demonstrating acute effects (red squares), and supporting the conjecture that a daily intake of a cumulative dose of 963 mg of flavanols may be sufficient to induce a sustained improvement in vascular function over time.