High-cocoa polyphenol-rich chocolate improves HDL cholesterol in Type 2 diabetes patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of chocolate on lipid profiles, weight and glycaemic control in individuals with Type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Twelve individuals with Type 2 diabetes on stable medication were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study. Subjects were randomized to 45 g chocolate with or without a high polyphenol content for 8 weeks and then crossed over after a 4-week washout period. Changes in weight, glycaemic control, lipid profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured at the beginning and at the end of each intervention.


RESULTS
HDL cholesterol increased significantly with high polyphenol chocolate (1.16 ± 0.08 vs. 1.26 ± 0.08 mmol/l, P = 0.05) with a decrease in the total cholesterol: HDL ratio (4.4 ± 0.4 vs. 4.1 ± 0.4 mmol/l, P = 0.04). No changes were seen with the low polyphenol chocolate in any parameters. Over the course of 16 weeks of daily chocolate consumption neither weight nor glycaemic control altered from baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
High polyphenol chocolate is effective in improving the atherosclerotic cholesterol profile in patients with diabetes by increasing HDL cholesterol and improving the cholesterol:HDL ratio without affecting weight, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance or glycaemic control.
HONEI, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
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Mellor
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Sathyapalan
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Kilpatrick
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Beckett
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Atkin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002099:Cacao / Q000378:metabolism*; D002182:Candy; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D059808:Polyphenols
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D002097:C-Reactive Protein