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 .
Effect of cocoa bran on low-density lipoprotein oxidation and fecal bulking.
BACKGROUND Legumes have reported benefits in terms of reduced risk for coronary heart disease and of colonic health . A novel legume fiber , cocoa bran , also may have favorable health effects on serum lipid levels , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol oxidation , and fecal bulk . METHODS Twenty-five healthy normolipidemic subjects ( 13 men and 12 women ) ( mean + /- SEM age , 37 + /- 2 years ; mean + /- SEM body mass index [ calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters ] , 24.6 + /- 0.7 ) ate cocoa-bran and chocolate-flavored low-fiber breakfast cereals for 2-week periods , with 2-week washout , in a double-blind crossover study . The cocoa-bran cereal provided 25.0 g/d of total dietary fiber ( TDF ) . The low-fiber cereal ( 5.6 g/d TDF ) was of similar appearance and energy value . Fasting blood sample s were obtained at the start and end of each period , and 4-day fecal collection s were made from days 11 through 14 . RESULTS High-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol level was higher ( 7.6 % + /- 2.9 % ; P = .02 ) and the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio was lower ( 6.7 % + /- 2.3 % ; P = .007 ) for cocoa-bran compared with low-fiber cereal at 2 weeks . No effect was seen on LDL cholesterol oxidation . Mean fecal output was significantly higher for cocoa-bran than for low-fiber cereal ( 56 + /- 14 g/d ; P<.001 ) and equal to the increase seen in the same subjects with wheat fiber in a previous study . CONCLUSIONS A chocolate-flavored cocoa-bran cereal increased fecal bulk similarly to wheat bran and was associated with a reduction in the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio . In view of the low-fat , high-fiber nature of the material , these results suggest a possible role for this novel fiber source in the diets of normal , hyperlipidemic , and constipated subjects
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 .