title: Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicate that flavanol-rich chocolate has beneficial effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure (BP). However, no RCTs have evaluated these outcomes in pregnant women. The objective of this 2-group, parallel, double-blind RCT was to examine the effects of flavanol-rich chocolate on FMD and BP in pregnant women with normal BP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four healthy, pregnant women were randomized to the high-flavanol (n = 23) or low-flavanol (n = 21) chocolate consumption for 12 weeks. At randomization (0, 60, 120 and 180 min after a single 40-g dose of chocolate), 6 and 12 weeks after daily 20-g chocolate intake, we evaluated plasma concentrations of flavanols and theobromine, as well as the FMD and BP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma epicatechin was significantly increased (p < 0.001) 180 min after the consumption of 40-g high-flavanol chocolate compared to low-flavanol chocolate. Theobromine concentrations were significantly higher 180 min and 12 weeks after the intake of experimental chocolate or low-flavanol chocolate (p < 0.001). FMD was not different between the 2 groups at all pre-defined time periods. No other significant within-group or between-group changes were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm the feasibility of a large-scale RCT comparing daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate to an equivalent placebo during pregnancy and demonstrate higher plasma epicatechin and theobromine concentration in the intervention group after acute ingestion
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01659060.
authors.forename: Jaime Andres
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mogollon
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bujold
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemieux
authors.forename: Mélodie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bourdages
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blanchet
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bazinet
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Couillard
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noël
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000097:blood; D002182:Candy; D002392:Catechin / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D013805:Theobromine / Q000097:blood; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D059808:Polyphenols; D002110:Caffeine; D002392:Catechin; D013806:Theophylline; D013805:Theobromine
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