Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial

Introduction. The aim of this study was to assess the vascular benefits of dark chocolate in healthy and young individuals. Methods. A randomized and controlled trial was carried out involving 60 healthy volunteers, randomized into two groups: control group (CG; n=30) and intervention group (IG; n=...

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Main Authors: T. Pereira, J. Maldonado, M. Laranjeiro, R. Coutinho, E. Cardoso, I. Andrade, J. Conde
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Cardiology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/945951
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author T. Pereira
J. Maldonado
M. Laranjeiro
R. Coutinho
E. Cardoso
I. Andrade
J. Conde
author_facet T. Pereira
J. Maldonado
M. Laranjeiro
R. Coutinho
E. Cardoso
I. Andrade
J. Conde
author_sort T. Pereira
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. The aim of this study was to assess the vascular benefits of dark chocolate in healthy and young individuals. Methods. A randomized and controlled trial was carried out involving 60 healthy volunteers, randomized into two groups: control group (CG; n=30) and intervention group (IG; n=30). The IG ingested a daily dosage of 10 g of dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) for a month. Blood pressure (BP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), arterial stiffness index (ASI), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), and pulse wave analysis (PWA) were assessed at baseline and one week after the one-month intervention period. Results. Arterial function improved after intervention in the IG, with PWV decreasing from 6.13±0.41 m/s to 5.83±0.53 m/s (P=0.02), with no significant differences observed in the CG. A significant decrease in ASI (0.16±0.01 to 0.13±0.01; P<0.001) and AiX (-15.88±10.75 to -22.57±11.16; P=0.07) was also depicted for the IG. Endothelial function improved in the IG, with the FMD increasing 9.31% after the 1-month intervention (P<0.001), with no significant variation in the CG. Conclusion. The daily ingestion of 10 g dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) during a month significantly improves vascular function in young and healthy individuals.
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spelling doaj-art-557ca980ce194664a777e205c5bebbd72025-08-20T03:36:19ZengWileyCardiology Research and Practice2090-80162090-05972014-01-01201410.1155/2014/945951945951Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled TrialT. Pereira0J. Maldonado1M. Laranjeiro2R. Coutinho3E. Cardoso4I. Andrade5J. Conde6Departamento de Cardiopneumologia, ESTESC, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalInstituto de Investigacao e Formacao Cardiovascular, Quinta da Portela, Rua Princesa Cindazunda, Lote 9.3, Loja 94, 3030-503 Coimbra, PortugalDepartamento de Cardiopneumologia, ESTESC, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalDepartamento de Cardiopneumologia, ESTESC, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalDepartamento de Cardiopneumologia, ESTESC, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalDepartamento de Cardiopneumologia, ESTESC, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalDepartamento de Cardiopneumologia, ESTESC, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, SM Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalIntroduction. The aim of this study was to assess the vascular benefits of dark chocolate in healthy and young individuals. Methods. A randomized and controlled trial was carried out involving 60 healthy volunteers, randomized into two groups: control group (CG; n=30) and intervention group (IG; n=30). The IG ingested a daily dosage of 10 g of dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) for a month. Blood pressure (BP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), arterial stiffness index (ASI), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), and pulse wave analysis (PWA) were assessed at baseline and one week after the one-month intervention period. Results. Arterial function improved after intervention in the IG, with PWV decreasing from 6.13±0.41 m/s to 5.83±0.53 m/s (P=0.02), with no significant differences observed in the CG. A significant decrease in ASI (0.16±0.01 to 0.13±0.01; P<0.001) and AiX (-15.88±10.75 to -22.57±11.16; P=0.07) was also depicted for the IG. Endothelial function improved in the IG, with the FMD increasing 9.31% after the 1-month intervention (P<0.001), with no significant variation in the CG. Conclusion. The daily ingestion of 10 g dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) during a month significantly improves vascular function in young and healthy individuals.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/945951
spellingShingle T. Pereira
J. Maldonado
M. Laranjeiro
R. Coutinho
E. Cardoso
I. Andrade
J. Conde
Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial
Cardiology Research and Practice
title Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial
title_full Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial
title_short Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial
title_sort central arterial hemodynamic effects of dark chocolate ingestion in young healthy people a randomized and controlled trial
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/945951
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