Conclusion : Cocoa/DC supplementation does not reduce anthropometric measures significantly .
However subgroup analysis regarding dose ( ≥ 30 g/day ) and duration ( between 4 to 8 weeks ) revealed significant reduction of body weight and BMI
ABSTRACT Background : Cocoa and dark chocolate ( DC ) have been reported to be effective for health promotion ; however the exact effect of cocoa/DC on anthropometric measures have not been yet defined .
Dietary flavanols and procyanidin oligomers from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) inhibit platelet function.
BACKGROUND Flavonoids may be partly responsible for some health benefits , including antiinflammatory action and a decreased tendency for the blood to clot . An acute dose of flavanols and oligomeric procyanidins from cocoa powder inhibits platelet activation and function over 6 h in humans . OBJECTIVE This study sought to evaluate whether 28 d of supplementation with cocoa flavanols and related procyanidin oligomers would modulate human platelet reactivity and primary hemostasis and reduce oxidative markers in vivo . DESIGN Thirty-two healthy subjects were assigned to consume active ( 234 mg cocoa flavanols and procyanidins/d ) or placebo ( < or = 6 mg cocoa flavanols and procyanidins/d ) tablets in a blinded parallel- design ed study . Platelet function was determined by measuring platelet aggregation , ATP release , and expression of activation-dependent platelet antigens by using flow cytometry . Plasma was analyzed for oxidation markers and antioxidant status . RESULTS Plasma concentrations of epicatechin and catechin in the active group increased by 81 % and 28 % , respectively , during the intervention period . The active group had significantly lower P selectin expression and significantly lower ADP-induced aggregation and collagen-induced aggregation than did the placebo group . Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the active than in the placebo group ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas plasma oxidation markers and antioxidant status did not change in either group . CONCLUSIONS Cocoa flavanol and procyanidin supplementation for 28 d significantly increased plasma epicatechin and catechin concentrations and significantly decreased platelet function . These data support the results of acute studies that used higher doses of cocoa flavanols and procyanidins
Conclusion : Cocoa/DC supplementation does not reduce anthropometric measures significantly .
However subgroup analysis regarding dose ( ≥ 30 g/day ) and duration ( between 4 to 8 weeks ) revealed significant reduction of body weight and BMI
ABSTRACT Background : Cocoa and dark chocolate ( DC ) have been reported to be effective for health promotion ; however the exact effect of cocoa/DC on anthropometric measures have not been yet defined .