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 .
The effect of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on fasting capillary whole blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure and glucocorticoids in healthy overweight and obese subjects.
Numerous studies indicate that polyphenol-rich chocolate reduces fasting blood glucose , blood pressure ( BP ) and total cholesterol in healthy individuals and hypertensives with or without glucose intolerance . The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two doses of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate ( DC ) on fasting capillary whole blood glucose , total cholesterol and BP and to examine whether improvements in these parameters are associated with changes in adrenocorticoid excretion in overweight and obese individuals . The study used a r and omised , single-blind , cross-over design where fourteen overweight and obese subjects were r and omised to either take 20 g DC with 500 mg polyphenols then 20 g DC with 1000 mg polyphenols or vice-versa . Participants followed each diet for 2 weeks separated by a 1-week washout period . It was observed that the 500 mg polyphenol dose was equally effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels , systolic BP ( SBP ) and diastolic BP ( DBP ) as the 1000 mg polyphenol dose suggesting that a saturation effect might occur with increasing dose of polyphenols . There was also a trend towards a reduction in urinary free cortisone levels with both groups although it did not reach statistical significance . No changes in anthropometrical measurements were seen . We suggest that more research is required to investigate the mechanism(s ) by which polyphenol-rich foods influence health
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 .