Dose-dependent Effects of Cacao Polyphenol Intake on Lipid Metabolism in Rats.

Cacao polyphenols (CPs) are known to suppress the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol absorption. Herein, we examined the impact of CP on the lipid metabolism in rats fed CP-rich chocolate, by analyzing liver weight and histology, via hematoxylin-eosin staining. The high-CP group had significantly lighter livers than the CP-free group. Histologically, the high-CP group showed significantly lower liver fat accumulation than the CP-free group. These results suggest that CPs prevent liver fat accumulation, being potentially useful against obesity and related diseases.