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 .
High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome
Background Chocolate is rich in flavonoids that have been shown to be of benefit in disparate conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer . The effect of polyphenol rich chocolate in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) has not been studied previously . Methods We conducted a double blinded , r and omised , clinical pilot crossover study comparing high cocoa liquor/polyphenol rich chocolate ( HCL/PR ) in comparison to simulated iso-calorific chocolate ( cocoa liquor free/low polyphenols(CLF/LP ) ) on fatigue and residual function in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome . Subjects with CFS having severe fatigue of at least 10 out of 11 on the Chalder Fatigue Scale were enrolled . Subjects had either 8 weeks of intervention in the form of HCL/PR or CLF/LP , with a 2 week wash out period followed by 8 weeks of intervention with the other chocolate . Results Ten subjects were enrolled in the study . The Chalder Fatigue Scale score improved significantly after 8 weeks of the HCL/PR chocolate arm [ median ( range ) Exact Sig . ( 2-tailed ) ] [ 33 ( 25 - 38 ) vs. 21.5 ( 6 - 35 ) 0.01 ] , but that deteriorated significantly when subjects were given simulated iso-calorific chocolate ( CLF/CP ) [ 28.5 ( 17 - 20 ) vs. 34.5 ( 13 - 26 ) 0.03 ] . The residual function , as assessed by the London H and icap scale , also improved significantly after the HCL/PR arm [ 0.49 ( 0.33 - 0.62 ) vs. 0.64 ( 0.44 - 0.83 ) 0.01 ] and deteriorated after iso-calorific chocolate [ 00.44 ( 0.43 - 0.68 ) vs. 0.36 ( 0.33 - 0.62)0.03 ] . Likewise the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score also improved after the HCL/PR arm , but deteriorated after CLF/CP . Mean weight remained unchanged throughout the trial . Conclusion This study suggests that HCL/PR chocolate may improve symptoms in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome
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 .