Abstract: The invention provides compounds and plant extract compositions that inhibit pancreatic enzymes, such as lipases and amylases, and most particularly pancreatic lipase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and COX-2 enzyme, and improve the inflammatory state or response conditions in animals. The compounds and plant extracts can be used in methods and administration regimens to treat animals for obesity-related conditions, diabetes and related conditions, metabolic syndrome, metabolic endotoxemia, and inflammatory conditions. The compounds and plant extracts can also be used to produce comestible compositions to be incorporated into a normal diet to improve health or prevent or reduce the uptake of free fatty acids during digestion or the production of inflammatory eicosanoids or cytokines. The inhibitor compounds and compositions include cocoa-derived polymers of epicatechin, such as epicatechin-rich polymers of 2 units through polymers of 14 units, or 5 to 14 units, and combinations of them.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of purifying and quantifying procyanidin oligomers from cocoa-containing sources. The methods advantageously provide ways to isolate commercially useful quantities of a range of procyanidin oligomers.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of producing a cocoa-containing beverage, or a nutritionally fortified or energy-sustaining cocoa beverage, containing beneficial cocoa polyphenols. Ready-to-drink compositions, concentrates, primary beverage components, and packets for producing the beverages are specifically disclosed and prepared from a cocoa water composition made from steeping a cocoa-containing product in water or an aqueous solution with an acid. A number of vitamins, minerals, supplements, and nutriceutical compositions can be added.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of producing a cocoa-containing beverage, or a nutritionally fortified or energy-sustaining cocoa beverage, containing beneficial cocoa polyphenols. Ready-to-drink compositions, concentrates, primary beverage components, and packets for producing the beverages are specifically disclosed and prepared from a cocoa water composition made from steeping a cocoa-containing product in water or an aqueous solution with an acid. A number of vitamins, minerals, supplements, and nutriceutical compositions can be added.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating and enhancing the levels of jasmonates from cacao plant sources. In a preferred embodiment, jasmonic acid and 12-hydroxy jasmonate sulfate are detected in various cocoa products, and the levels of these compounds can be manipulated to increase the beneficial health effects of a food product made with the cocoa products The invention includes methods to prepare edible products containing cocoa jasmonates.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of purifying and quantifying procyanidin oligomers from cocoa-containing sources. The methods advantageously provide ways to isolate commercially useful quantities of a range of procyanidin oligomers.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of producing a cocoa-containing beverage, or a nutritionally fortified or energy-sustaining cocoa beverage, containing beneficial cocoa polyphenols. Ready-to-drink compositions, concentrates, primary beverage components, and packets for producing the beverages are specifically disclosed and prepared from a cocoa water composition made from steeping a cocoa-containing product in water or an aqueous solution with an acid. A number of vitamins, minerals, supplements, and nutriceutical compositions can be added.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds and plant extract compositions that inhibit pancreatic enzymes, such as lipases and amylases, and most particularly pancreatic lipase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and COX-2 enzyme, and improve the inflammatory state or response conditions in animals. The compounds and plant extracts can be used in methods and administration regimens to treat animals for obesity-related conditions, diabetes and related conditions, metabolic syndrome, metabolic endotoxemia, and inflammatory conditions. The compounds and plant extracts can also be used to produce comestible compositions to be incorporated into a normal diet to improve health or prevent or reduce the uptake of free fatty acids during digestion or the production of inflammatory eicosanoids or cytokines. The inhibitor compounds and compositions include cocoa-derived polymers of epicatechin, such as epicatechin-rich polymers of 2 units through polymers of 14 units and combinations of them.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of producing a cocoa-containing beverage, or a nutritionally fortified or energy-sustaining cocoa beverage, containing beneficial cocoa polyphenols. Ready-to-drink compositions, concentrates, primary beverage components, and packets for producing the beverages are specifically disclosed and prepared from a cocoa water composition made from steeping a cocoa-containing product in water or an aqueous solution. A number of vitamins, minerals, supplements, and nutriceutical compositions can be added.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating and enhancing the levels of jasmonates from cacao plant sources. In a preferred embodiment, jasmonic acid and 12-hydroxy jasmonate sulfate are detected in various cocoa products, and the levels of these compounds can be manipulated to increase the beneficial health effects of a food product made with the cocoa products The invention includes methods to prepare edible products containing cocoa jasmonates.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of producing a cocoa beverage containing beneficial cocoa polyphenols. Ready-to-drink compositions, concentrates, primary beverage components, and packets for producing the beverages are specifically disclosed. Preferred sugar-free, low calorie, and calorie-free products and cocoa beverages are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of making food products and ingredients having enhanced levels of natural stilbene compounds, such as resveratrol. Chocolate liquor, cocoa powders, and cocoa extracts having enhanced levels of resveratrol prepared from cacao beans are disclosed. The invention also provides methods of treatment using compositions and ingredients having enhanced natural stilbene content.

Abstract: The volume of a loudspeaker in a telephone is automatically adjusted according to the ambient noise at the telephone location. During a predetermined time window which exists during the initial period of a telephone call, the ambient noise is measured, and the volume of the loudspeaker adjusted accordingly. For example, the time period may exist between the time when the telephone goes off-hook, until the time when the handset is placed near the ear. Adjusting the ambient noise during this period has the advantage of not having to filter out the user's speech, as would be the case when measuring the ambient noise while the user is speaking. Furthermore, there is no requirement for circuitry which detects gaps in speech.