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 .
Cocoa consumption for 2 wk enhances insulin-mediated vasodilatation without improving blood pressure or insulin resistance in essential hypertension.
BACKGROUND Essential hypertension is characterized by reciprocal relations between endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance . Cocoa flavanols stimulate production of the vasodilator nitric oxide from vascular endothelium . OBJECTIVE The objective was to test the hypothesis that consumption of cocoa may simultaneously lower blood pressure , improve endothelial dysfunction , and ameliorate insulin resistance in subjects with essential hypertension . DESIGN We conducted a r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind , crossover trial of a flavanol-rich cocoa drink ( 150 mL twice a day , approximately 900 mg flavanols/d ) in individuals with essential hypertension ( n = 20 ) . Antihypertensive medications were discontinued before study enrollment . After a 7-d cocoa-free run-in period , cocoa or flavanol-poor placebo ( approximately 28 mg flavanols/d ) treatment for 2 wk was followed by a 1-wk washout and then crossover to the other treatment arm . Blood pressure was measured thrice weekly . At baseline and after each treatment period , we assessed insulin sensitivity ( hyperinsulinemic-isoglycemic glucose clamp ) and insulin-stimulated changes in brachial artery diameter and forearm skeletal muscle capillary recruitment ( Doppler ultrasound with or without microbubble contrast ) . RESULTS Cocoa treatment for 2 wk increased insulin-stimulated changes in brachial artery diameter when compared with placebo [ median percentage increase from baseline ( 25th-75th percentile ) : 8.3 ( 4.2 - 11.3 ) compared with 5.9 ( -0.3 to 9.6 ) ; P < 0.04 ] . Nevertheless , cocoa treatment did not significantly reduce blood pressure or improve insulin resistance and had no significant effects on skeletal muscle capillary recruitment , circulating plasma concentrations of adipocytokines , or endothelial adhesion molecules . CONCLUSIONS Daily consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa for 2 wk is not sufficient to reduce blood pressure or improve insulin resistance in human subjects with essential hypertension . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT00099476
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 .