Central Arterial Hemodynamic Effects of Dark Chocolate Ingestion in Young Healthy People: A Randomized and Controlled Trial

[摘要] Introduction.The aim of this study was to assess the vascular benefits of dark chocolate in healthy and young individuals.Methods. A randomized and controlled trial was carried out involving 60 healthy volunteers, randomized into two groups: control group (CG;n=30) and intervention group (IG;n=30). The IG ingested a daily dosage of 10 g of dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) for a month. Blood pressure (BP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), arterial stiffness index (ASI), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), and pulse wave analysis (PWA) were assessed at baseline and one week after the one-month intervention period.Results. Arterial function improved after intervention in the IG, with PWV decreasing from6.13±0.41 m/s to5.83±0.53 m/s (P=0.02), with no significant differences observed in the CG. A significant decrease in ASI (0.16±0.01to0.13±0.01;P<0.001) and AiX (-15.88±10.75to-22.57±11.16;P=0.07) was also depicted for the IG. Endothelial function improved in the IG, with the FMD increasing 9.31% after the 1-month intervention (P<0.001), with no significant variation in the CG.Conclusion. The daily ingestion of 10 g dark chocolate (>75% cocoa) during a month significantly improves vascular function in young and healthy individuals.

[学科分类] 心脏病和心血管学