Impact of Cocoa Flavanols on Pulmonary Oxygen Uptake Kinetics and Exercise Tolerance in Sedentary Middle-aged Adults

Liverpool John Moores University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Aging; Sedentary Behavior

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Cocoa flavanols; Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplement

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04370353

18/SPS/014

Details and patient eligibility

About

In recent years, there has been significant interest in dietary flavonoids (biologically active plant-derived compounds) as potential therapeutics. This is due to the capacity of flavonoids to enhance processes related to energy metabolism and cardiovascular health. We are interested in implementing a short-term supplementation regime (daily cocoa-flavanoid ingestion), in order to explore the possible beneficial effects of flavonoid-based interventions on responses to exercise. Hence, the objective of our study is to examine the impact of short term cocoa-flavanoid supplementation on processes related to energy use (oxygen utilisation). Our aim is to develop a novel intervention which improves cardiovascular health and enhances exercise tolerance.

Enrollment: 18 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 35 to 55 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 35-55 years
• Healthy (no known cardiovascular or metabolic disorders e.g. diabetes)
• Do not engage in regular structured physical training (i.e. less than two sessions for 60 minutes per week, for at least 1 year

Exclusion criteria

• Smokers
• Medical history of cardiovascular and/or metabolic disease, including diabetes and abnormal blood pressure
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Currently taking any medication
• Asthmatic
• Currently suffering from musculoskeletal injury
• Younger than 35 or older than 55 years old
• Known food allergies or special dietary requirements
• Currently taking any dietary supplements
• Currently engaging in >2 hours structured training per week

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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18 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo supplement, each capsule containing: 0mg total flavanols, matched for caffeine and theobromine content as experimental supplement (2.9 mg caffeine and 22.5 mg theobromine) and microcrystalline cellulose volume filler. Participants consume 4x capsules daily (2AM \& 2PM after mixed meal for 7 days.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplement

Cocoa Flavanols

Experimental group

Description:

Experimental supplement, each capsule containing: 316 mg CocoActiv (Naturex, Netherlands: 100mg total cocoa flavanols, 2.9 mg caffeine and 22.5 mg theobromine) and microcrystalline cellulose volume filler. Participants consume 4x capsules daily (2AM \& 2PM) for 7 days.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Cocoa flavanols