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 .
Cardiovascular effects of flavanol-rich chocolate in patients with heart failure.
AIMS Flavanol-rich chocolate ( FRC ) is beneficial for vascular and platelet function by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and decreasing oxidative stress . Congestive heart failure ( CHF ) is characterized by impaired endothelial and increased platelet reactivity . As statins are ineffective in CHF , alternative therapies are a clinical need . We therefore investigated whether FRC might improve cardiovascular function in patients with CHF . METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty patients with CHF were enrolled in a double-blind , r and omized placebo-controlled trial , comparing the effect of commercially available FRC with cocoa-liquor-free control chocolate ( CC ) on endothelial and platelet function in the short term ( 2 h after ingestion of a chocolate bar ) and long term ( 4 weeks , two chocolate bars/day ) . Endothelial function was assessed non-invasively by flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery . Flow-mediated vasodilatation significantly improved from 4.98 ± 1.95 to 5.98 ± 2.32 % ( P = 0.045 and 0.02 for between-group changes ) 2h after intake of FRC to 6.86 ± 1.76 % after 4 weeks of daily intake ( P = 0.03 and 0.004 for between groups ) . No effect on endothelial-independent vasodilatation was observed . Platelet adhesion significantly decreased from 3.9 ± 1.3 to 3.0 ± 1.3 % ( P = 0.03 and 0.05 for between groups ) 2 h after FRC , an effect that was not sustained at 2 and 4 weeks . Cocoa-liquor-free CC had no effect , either on endothelial function or on platelet function . Blood pressure and heart rate did not change in either group . CONCLUSION Flavanol-rich chocolate acutely improves vascular function in patients with CHF . A sustained effect was seen after daily consumption over a 4-week period , even after 12 h abstinence . These beneficial effects were paralleled by an inhibition of platelet function in the presence of FRC only
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 .