title: Consumption of high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function in individuals with stage 1 hypertension and excess body weight.
abstract: Background. Hypertension and excess body weight are important risk factors for endothelial dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function and lowers blood pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the association of chocolate 70% cocoa intake with metabolic profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, blood pressure, and endothelial function in stage 1 hypertensives with excess body weight. Methods. Intervention clinical trial includes 22 stage 1 hypertensives without previous antihypertensive treatment, aged 18 to 60 years and presents a body mass index between 25.0 and 34.9 kg/m(2). All participants were instructed to consume 50 g of chocolate 70% cocoa/day (2135 mg polyphenols) for 4 weeks. Endothelial function was evaluated by peripheral artery tonometry using Endo-PAT 2000 (Itamar Medical). Results. Twenty participants (10 men) completed the study. Comparison of pre-post intervention revealed that (1) there were no significant changes in anthropometric parameters, percentage body fat, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, biomarkers of inflammation, adhesion molecules, oxidized LDL, and blood pressure; (2) the assessment of endothelial function through the reactive hyperemia index showed a significant increase: 1.94 ± 0.18 to 2.22 ± 0.08, P = 0.01. Conclusion.In individuals with stage 1 hypertension and excess body weight, high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Rio de Janeiro State University, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lívia de Paula
authors.initials: Lde P
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Marcela Paranhos
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Knibel
authors.forename: Márcia Regina Simas Gonçalves
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: José Firmino
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nogueira Neto
authors.forename: Antonio Felipe
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Sanjuliani