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 .
Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial
Background Several r and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) indicate that flavanol-rich chocolate has beneficial effects on flow-mediated dilation ( FMD ) and blood pressure ( BP ) . However , no RCTs have evaluated these outcomes in pregnant women . The objective of this 2-group , parallel , double-blind RCT was to examine the effects of flavanol-rich chocolate on FMD and BP in pregnant women with normal BP . Methods Forty-four healthy , pregnant women were r and omized to the  high-flavanol ( n = 23 ) or low-flavanol ( n = 21 ) chocolate consumption  for 12 weeks . At r and omization ( 0 , 60 , 120 and 180 min after a single 40-g dose of chocolate ) , 6 and 12 weeks after daily 20-g chocolate intake , we evaluated plasma concentrations of flavanols and theobromine , as well as the FMD and BP . Results Plasma epicatechin was significantly increased ( p < 0.001 ) 180 min after the consumption of 40-g high-flavanol chocolate compared to low-flavanol chocolate . Theobromine concentrations were significantly higher 180 min and 12 weeks after the intake of experimental chocolate or low-flavanol chocolate ( p < 0.001 ) . FMD was not different between the 2 groups at all pre-defined time periods . No other significant within-group or between-group changes were observed . Conclusion These results confirm the feasibility of a large-scale RCT comparing daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate to an equivalent placebo during pregnancy and demonstrate higher plasma epicatechin and theobromine concentration in the intervention group after acute ingestionTrial registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier :
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 .