Oxidised LDL levels decreases after the consumption of ready-to-eat meals supplemented with cocoa extract within a hypocaloric diet.
OBJECTIVE
Cocoa flavanols are recognised by their favourable antioxidant and vascular effects. This study investigates the influence on health of the daily consumption of ready-to-eat meals supplemented with cocoa extract within a hypocaloric diet, on middle-aged overweight/obese subjects.


RESULTS
Fifty healthy male and female middle-aged volunteers [57.26 ± 5.24 years and body mass index (BMI) 30.59 ± 2.33 kg/m(2)] were recruited to participate in a 4 week randomised, parallel and double-blind study. After following 3 days on a low-polyphenol diet, 25 volunteers received meals supplemented with 1.4 g of cocoa extract (645.3 mg of polyphenols) and the other 25 participants received control meals, within a 15% energy restriction diet. On the 4th week of intervention individuals in both dietary groups improved (p < 0.05) anthropometric, body composition, blood pressure and blood biochemical measurements. Oxidised LDL cholesterol (oxLDL), showed a higher reduction (p = 0.030) in the cocoa group. Moreover, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels decreased only in the cocoa supplemented group (p = 0.007). Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) decreased significantly in both groups, while Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) did not present differences after the 4 weeks of intervention. Interestingly, cocoa intake showed a different effect by gender, presenting more beneficial effects in men.


CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of cocoa extract as part of ready-to-eat meals and within a hypocaloric diet improved oxidative status (oxLDL) in middle-aged subjects, being most remarkable in males.


BACKGROUND
Registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01596309).
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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Ibero-Baraibar
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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Abete
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn. Carlos III Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain.
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Navas-Carretero
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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Massis-Zaid
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn. Carlos III Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jalfmtz@unav.es.
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Martinez
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn. Carlos III Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain.
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Zulet
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002099:Cacao; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D057140:Fast Foods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein
Cocoa extract; Middle-aged; Obesity; Oxidative stress; oxLDL