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 .
Oxidised LDL levels decreases after the consumption of ready-to-eat meals supplemented with cocoa extract within a hypocaloric diet.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cocoa flavanols are recognised by their favourable antioxidant and vascular effects . This study investigates the influence on health of the daily consumption of ready-to-eat meals supplemented with cocoa extract within a hypocaloric diet , on middle-aged overweight/obese subjects . METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty healthy male and female middle-aged volunteers [ 57.26 ± 5.24 years and body mass index ( BMI ) 30.59 ± 2.33 kg/m(2 ) ] were recruited to participate in a 4 week r and omised , parallel and double-blind study . After following 3 days on a low-polyphenol diet , 25 volunteers received meals supplemented with 1.4 g of cocoa extract ( 645.3 mg of polyphenols ) and the other 25 participants received control meals , within a 15 % energy restriction diet . On the 4th week of intervention individuals in both dietary groups improved ( p < 0.05 ) anthropometric , body composition , blood pressure and blood biochemical measurements . Oxidised LDL cholesterol ( oxLDL ) , showed a higher reduction ( p = 0.030 ) in the cocoa group . Moreover , myeloperoxidase ( MPO ) levels decreased only in the cocoa supplemented group ( p = 0.007 ) . Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) decreased significantly in both groups , while Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) did not present differences after the 4 weeks of intervention . Interestingly , cocoa intake showed a different effect by gender , presenting more beneficial effects in men . CONCLUSIONS The consumption of cocoa extract as part of ready-to-eat meals and within a hypocaloric diet improved oxidative status ( oxLDL ) in middle-aged subjects , being most remarkable in males . REGISTRATION NUMBER Registered at www . clinical trials.gov ( NCT01596309 )
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 .