title: Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults.
abstract: The consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate is associated with a lower risk of CVD, and improvements in endothelial function may mediate this relationship. Less is known about the effects of cocoa/chocolate on the augmentation index (AI), a measure of vascular stiffness and vascular tone in the peripheral arterioles. We enrolled thirty middle-aged, overweight adults in a randomised, placebo-controlled, 4-week, cross-over study. During the active treatment (cocoa) period, the participants consumed 37 g/d of dark chocolate and a sugar-free cocoa beverage (total cocoa = 22 g/d, total flavanols (TF) = 814 mg/d). Colour-matched controls included a low-flavanol chocolate bar and a cocoa-free beverage with no added sugar (TF = 3 mg/d). Treatments were matched for total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and protein. The cocoa treatment significantly increased the basal diameter and peak diameter of the brachial artery by 6% (+2 mm) and basal blood flow volume by 22%. Substantial decreases in the AI, a measure of arterial stiffness, were observed in only women. Flow-mediated dilation and the reactive hyperaemia index remained unchanged. The consumption of cocoa had no effect on fasting blood measures, while the control treatment increased fasting insulin concentration and insulin resistance (P= 0·01). Fasting blood pressure (BP) remained unchanged, although the acute consumption of cocoa increased resting BP by 4 mmHg. In summary, the high-flavanol cocoa and dark chocolate treatment was associated with enhanced vasodilation in both conduit and resistance arteries and was accompanied by significant reductions in arterial stiffness in women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Sheila G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Molly D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Piotrowski
authors.affiliation: AgroParisTech, CRNH-IdF, UMR914 Nutrition Physiology and Ingestive Behavior, F-75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Poupin
authors.affiliation: The Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, The Hershey Company, 1025 Reese Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: The Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, The Hershey Company, 1025 Reese Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Amy G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Preston
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Groves
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 110 Chandlee Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Ann C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Skulas-Ray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D007328:Insulin; D028321:Plant Preparations