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Chemical structure of Flavan-3-ol(Formula: C₁₅H₁₄O₂, molar mass : 226.27 g/mol, exact mass: 226.09937966).

Flavan-3-ols (sometimes referred to as flavanols) are a class of flavonoids that use the 2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-3-ol skeleton. These compounds include the catechins and the catechin gallates.

Flavanols (with an "a") are not to be confused with flavonols (with an "o"), another class of flavonoids containing a ketone group.

Flavanols are building blocks for proanthocyanidins.

Aglycones

Flavan-3-ols

Image	Name	Formula	Oligomers
	Fisetinidol	C15H14O5
	Robinetinidol	C15H14O6	Prorobinetinidins
	Epicatechin	C15H14O6	Proanthocyanidins
	Mesquitol	C15H14O6
	Epigallocatechin	C15H14O7	Prodelphinidins
	Epicatechin gallate	C22H18O10
	Epigallocatechin gallate	C22H18O11

Health effects

Flavanols, usually from cocoa beans or tea, are believed to keep arteries flexible ^[1], increase small vessel circulation^[2], reduce blood pressure^[3] and protect against sunburns ^{[4] [5]}

Flavanol-rich chocolate

The Mars Corporation introduced in 2003 a line of flavanol-rich chocolate products under the brand name CocoaVia, prepared using their proprietary process called Cocoapro. In 2008, the product was rebranded as Cirku^[6].

References

1. ^ Harvard Health newsletter on CocoaVia
2. ^ PMID: 17164979
3. ^ PMID: 17609490
4. ^ Eating chocolate can significantly protect the skin from UV light. Stefanie Williams, MD et al, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 8 Issue 3, Pages 169 - 173, Published Online: 1 Sep 2009
5. ^ Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in women. Heinrich U et al. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1565-9. PMID: 16702322
6. ^ Cirku Health web site

See also