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 .
Continuous intake of polyphenolic compounds containing cocoa powder reduces LDL oxidative susceptibility and has beneficial effects on plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in humans.
BACKGROUND Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols such as catechins and procyanidins and has been shown in various models to inhibit LDL oxidation and atherogenesis . OBJECTIVE We examined whether long-term intake of cocoa powder alters plasma lipid profiles in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic human subjects . DESIGN Twenty-five subjects were r and omly assigned to ingest either 12 g sugar/d ( control group ) or 26 g cocoa powder and 12 g sugar/d ( cocoa group ) for 12 wk . Blood sample s were collected before the study and 12 wk after intake of the test drinks . Plasma lipids , LDL oxidative susceptibility , and urinary oxidative stress markers were measured . RESULTS At 12 wk , we measured a 9 % prolongation from baseline levels in the lag time of LDL oxidation in the cocoa group . This prolongation in the cocoa group was significantly greater than the reduction measured in the control group ( -13 % ) . A significantly greater increase in plasma HDL cholesterol ( 24 % ) was observed in the cocoa group than in the control group ( 5 % ) . A negative correlation was observed between plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL . At 12 wk , there was a 24 % reduction in dityrosine from baseline concentrations in the cocoa group . This reduction in the cocoa group was significantly greater than the reduction in the control group ( -1 % ) . CONCLUSION It is possible that increases in HDL-cholesterol concentrations may contribute to the suppression of LDL oxidation and that polyphenolic substances derived from cocoa powder may contribute to an elevation in HDL cholesterol
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 .