Life Sciences Commons^™

Analyzing Flavonoids In Chocolate-Based Beverages, Ernest Afoakwah

Kean Quest

Some amount of previous research has suggested that chocolate-based drinks are very effective post-exercise recovery beverages. The fluid, electrolyte, protein and carbohydrate content of chocolate milk has been credited with possibly providing this benefit. Antioxidants perhaps contribute to post exercise recovery. Flavonoids, also naturally occurring phytochemicals in cocoa, the chief ingredient in chocolate, may be capable of providing antioxidant benefits. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and colorimetry, the present research involved examining the presence of flavonoids (particularly catechin) in seven chocolate-based milk drinks, as they may serve some importance regarding post-exercise recovery. A similar protocol (which basically involved defatting samples, …