The Effects of Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao) on EEG Brain Waves in Vigorously Active Individuals

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this graduate student study is to determine if ingestion of dark chocolate (70% cacao) will change brain frequencies between visualization at a state of rest and a state of exercise performance via electroencephalography (EEG) in vigorously active individuals.

Detailed Description
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The procedures include: On day one, participants will fill out a dark chocolate Likert scale, physical activity assessment, and demographic questionnaire. Day two and three, on consecutive days will include, three EEG measurements will be recorded: 1) at baseline, 2) during visualization of rest for one minute, and 3) during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute. The second day all three measurements will be recorded without dark chocolate (70% cacao). The third day all three measurements will be recorded again. Measurements 2 and 3 will be recorded savoring dark chocolate and after fully ingesting the dark chocolate respectively.

Official Title
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The Effects of Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao) on EEG Brain Waves in Vigorously Active Individuals

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: dark chocolate
* Other: non dark chocolate


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 21-45 years of age vigorously active individuals, based on the General Physical Activities defined by Level of Intensity guidelines, greater than 75 minutes per week enjoy dark chocolate Exclusion Criteria: Caffeine, sedatives, or tranquilizers within 12 hours of study Creatine or other performance enhancing steroid supplementation within 24 hours of study Ginseng supplementation within 24 hours of study Barbiturates within at least 36 hours of study Currently taking antiepileptic medications Any allergies, colds or sinus infections day of the study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: dark chocolate<br>Three EEG measurements will be recorded: 1) at baseline, 2) during visualization of rest for one minute, and 3) during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute. Measurements 2 and 3 will be recorded savoring dark chocolate and after fully ingesting the dark chocolate respectively. | Dietary Supplement: dark chocolate<br>* Participants will be provided Parliament dark chocolate (70% cocoa) from Redlands, CA. The Parliament chocolate is made with cacao and cane sugar. Each participant will be given half a piece (1.4 g) of dark chocolate to consume for this experiment over three minutes.<br>|
| Active Comparator: non dark chocolate<br>three EEG measurements will be recorded: 1) at baseline, 2) during visualization of rest for one minute, and 3) during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute. | Other: non dark chocolate<br>* No dark chocolate will be given to this group during the procedures.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EEG Wave Band Activity without dark chocolate ingestion | The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session. | change from baseline to during visualization of rest for one minute | 
| EEG Wave Band Activity without dark chocolate ingestion | The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session. | change from visualization of rest for one minute and during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EEG wave band activity with dark chocolate ingestion | The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session. | change from baseline to during visualization of rest for one minute | 
| EEG wave band activity with dark chocolate ingestion | The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session. | change from visualization of rest for one minute and during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute. |