ISCHOM II: arterial hemodynamics & dark chocolate PEREIRA & CONDE

3.7. Benefits of Dark Chocolate Ingestion over the Central Arterial Hemodynamics in Young Healthy People 

Pereira, T. *; Conde, J. 

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the vascular benefits of a dark chocolate intake program, particularly over the central arterial hemodynamics, in healthy and young individuals. 

Methods

A randomized and controlled trial was carried out involving 60 healthy young individuals, randomized into two groups: control group (CG; n = 30) and intervention group (IG; n = 30). The IG ingested a daily dosage of 10 g of dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) for a month. All the individuals were submitted to two clinical evaluations, basal and after one month of intervention, in which their weight, height, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), arterial stiffness index (ASI), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse wave analysis over the carotid artery (PWA) were assessed. 

Results

CG and IG groups had similar baseline clinical and demographic characteristics. After the intervention, BMI, HR and brachial BP did not suffer significant variations in either group. The baseline PWV and PWA parameters were similar in both groups, but were significantly different in the second evaluation, with the IG showing lower PWV, lower ASI and lower augmentation indexes (AiX). Arterial function improved after intervention in the IG, with PWV decreasing from 6.1 ˘ 0.41 m/s (baseline) to 5.83 ˘ 0.53 m/s (post-intervention; p = 0.02), with no significant differences observed in the CG. A significant decrease in ASI (0.16 ˘ 0.01 at baseline and 0.13 ˘ 0.01 post-intervention; p < 0.001) and AiX (at baseline ´15.88 ˘ 10.75 and post-intervention ´22.57 ˘ 11.16; p = 0.07) were also depicted for the IG, but not for the CG. 

Conclusion

The daily ingestion of 10 g dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) for a month improves the vascular function in young and healthy individuals, increasing aortic distensibility and positively modulating the reflected waves. 



Referencias: ISCHOM II: Barcelona 2015. Nutrients