Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne Vulgaris.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of chocolate on acne exacerbation in males between the ages of 18 and 35 with a history of acne vulgaris.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Single-site, outpatient, research, clinical facility at an academic research institution.


METHODS
Fourteen men between the ages of 18 and 35 were assigned to swallow capsules filled with either unsweetened 100-percent cocoa, hydrolyzed gelatin powder, or a combination of the two, at baseline.


METHODS
Lesions were assessed and photographs were taken at baseline, Day 4, and Day 7.


RESULTS
Of the 14 subjects, 13 completed this Institutional Review Board approved study. A statistically significant increase in the mean number of total acneiform lesions (comedones, papules, pustules, nodules) was detected on both Day 4 (p=0.006) and Day 7 (p=0.043) compared to baseline. A small-strength positive Pearson's correlation coefficient existed between the amount of chocolate each subject consumed and the number of lesions each subject developed between baseline and Day 4 (r=0.250), while a medium-strength positive correlation existed between baseline and Day 7 (r=0.314). No serious adverse events occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that in acne-prone, male individuals, the consumption of chocolate correlates to an increase in the exacerbation of acne.
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami, Florida.
Caroline
C
Caperton
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami, Florida.
Samantha
S
Block
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami, Florida.
Martha
M
Viera
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami, Florida.
Jonette
J
Keri
Skin & Cancer Associates, LLP; Co-Director Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research, Aventura, Florida.
Brian
B
Berman