3.8. The Regular Daily Intake of Dark Chocolate Improves the Endothelial Function in Young and Healthy Individuals
Pereira, T. *; Conde, J.
Introduction
The aim of this study was to assess the vascular benefits of a dark chocolate intake
program, particularly for the endothelial function, 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) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) 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 basal FMD was similar in the IG and the CG, but was significantly different in the
second evaluation, with the IG showing higher FMD values (23.22% ˘ 7.64% versus 13.23% ˘ 5.76%,
respectively for the IG and the CG; p < 0.001). Endothelial function improved in the IG, with the FMD
increasing 9.31% after the one-month intervention (p < 0.001), with no significant variation in the CG.
Conclusion
The daily ingestion of 10 g dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) for a month has a positive
modulation effect over the endothelium-dependent vasodilation in young and healthy individuals.
This optimization of endothelial function could play a crucial role in cardiovascular preventive
strategies, although further research is needed to clearly demonstrate the benefits of dark chocolate
in the long term.
Referencias: ISCHOM II: Barcelona 2015. Nutrients
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