title: Chocolate and health-related quality of life: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chocolate consumption has been associated with a short-term reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol, and improvement of insulin sensitivity; however, participants could not be aware of presenting hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, the effect of chocolate on mental health is uncertain. This study assessed the association of regular chocolate consumption with the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components of health-related quality of life (HRQL).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from a cohort of 4599 individuals recruited in 2008-2010 and followed-up once prospectively to January 2013 (follow-up mean: 3.5 years). Regular chocolate consumption was assessed at baseline with a validated diet history. HRQL was assessed with the SF-12 v.2 at baseline and at follow-up. Analyses were performed with linear regression and adjusted for the main confounders, including HRQL at baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 72% of the study participants did not consume chocolate, 11% consumed ≤10 g/day and 17% >10 g/day. Chocolate consumption at baseline did not show an association with PCS and MCS of the SF-12 measured three years later. Compared to those who did not consume chocolate, the PCS scores were similar in those who consumed ≤10 g/day (beta: -0.07; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): -0.94 to 0.80) and in those who consumed >10 g/day (beta: 0.02; 95% CI:-0.71 to 0.75); corresponding figures for the MCS were 0.29; 95% CI: -0.67 to 1.26, and -0.57; 95%CI: -1.37 to 0.23. Similar results were found for sex, regardless of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes or depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No evidence was found of an association between chocolate intake and the physical or mental components of HRQL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Balboa-Castillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López-García
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luz M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: León-Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raúl F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Pérez-Tasigchana
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: José Ramón
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Banegas
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Artalejo
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guallar-Castillón
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002099:Cacao; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult