Effects of Acute Ingestion of Dark Chocolate on Endothelial Function in Hypertensive Patients

Hospital Universitario Pedro Ernesto

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Hypertension

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Dark chocolate

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01314924

CHOC-70

Details and patient eligibility

About

We aimed to identify clinical and vascular parameters of treated hypertensive patients who present beneficial effects of dark chocolate for one-week period on vascular function.

Full description

Recent findings indicate an inverse relationship between cardiovascular disease and consumption of flavonoids. We aimed to identify clinical and vascular parameters of treated hypertensive patients who present beneficial effects of dark chocolate for one-week period on vascular function. Twenty-one hypertensive patients in drug therapy, both genders, aged 40-65 years, were included in a prospective study with measurement of blood pressure, brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT) and central hemodynamic parameters by SphygmoCor. After seven days of eating dark chocolate (70% cocoa) 75g/day, the clinical and vascular evaluation were repeated. Patients were divided into two groups according to the response in FMD: responders (increase in FMD, n=12) and non-responders (no improvement in FMD, n=9).

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Previous diagnosis of hypertension
• Use of one or two antihypertensive drugs
• Systolic blood pressure between 130 and 160 mmHg
• Diastolic blood pressure between 85 and 100 mmHg

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Body mass index > 35kg/m2
• Chronic kidney disease
• Known coronary artery disease
• Previous stroke

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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21 participants in 2 patient groups

Responders

Experimental group

Description:

Patients who present an increase in flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Dark chocolate

Non responders

Experimental group

Description:

Patients who do not present an increase in flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Dark chocolate