(2R,3R)-Flavan-3-ol aglycone — the most abundant flavanol monomer in cocoa and a major one in green tea. Extensively conjugated after intestinal absorption: systemic circulation is >97% sulfates, glucuronides, and methyl-sulfates (SREMs — structurally-related epicatechin metabolites; Actis-Goretta 2012). Cmax ~1 µM total SREM at Tmax 2 h, t½ ~3–4 h. Stimulates endothelial NO via eNOS activation, improves mitochondrial biogenesis / follistatin–myostatin balance (rationale for muscle-performance research), and is the dominant mediator of cocoa-flavanol-driven FMD improvements.
Half-Life (t½)
PO: 3h
Dosing Guidelines
PO: Typical 26.7 g (Range: 20–40 g)
Target Organ Systems
cardiovascular
digestive
Interactions
(+)-Catechin (synergistic): Stereoisomer; co-occur in cocoa and tea.
Procyanidin B2 (synergistic): Procyanidin B2 is the (4β→8) epicatechin dimer and serves as a slow-release precursor pool.
EGCG (synergistic): Co-occur in tea; EGCG is the gallated, higher-activity tea flavanol.