Effects of Acute Ingestion of Dark Chocolate on Endothelial Function in Adults with BMI between 25– 35 kg/m2: A Randomized, Single Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Dark chocolate is considered one of the most concentrated sources of procyanidin flavonoids, catechin and epicatechin. Endothelial function can provide a direct measurement of the effect of dark chocolate consumption on vascular physiology. Objective To assess the acute effects of consumption of dark chocolate on endothelial function measured as flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in adults BMI(25–35kg/m2). Design Randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled crossover trial. Subjects/Setting 45 subjects were recruited from the general population of southwestern Connecticut Methods Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment or placebo group and underwent endothelial function testing pre and post ingestion of 75 gms of solid, dark chocolate or low flavonoid placebo. Main Outcome Measures Endothelial function, assessed as FMD of the brachial artery and blood pressure. Results After single dose ingestion of dark chocolate, FMD improved significantly(+4.28 ± 3.43); p<0.0001) from baseline. SARM also improved significantly (+0.04 ± 0.10; p=0.0129). Single dose ingestion of dark chocolate lowered both systolic (−3.24 ± 5.82; p=0.0005) and diastolic (−1.40 ± 3.91; p=0.0206) blood pressure from baseline. A single dose ingestion of low flavonoid placebo deteriorated FMD (−1.84 ± 3.33; p=0.0007) from baseline. However SARM did not change significantly (+0.01 ± 0.18; p=0.7902). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased (+2.68 ± 6.64; p=0.0104 and +2.73 ± 6.36; p=0.0067 respectively) after single dose ingestion of placebo. Conclusion In this sample of healthy adults with BMI between 25 kg/m2 and 35 kg/m2, dark chocolate ingestion significantly improved endothelial function and blood pressure.