Effect of Dark Chocolate on Arterial Function in Healthy Individuals

Vlachopoulos, Charalambos; Aznaouridis, Konstantinos; Alexopoulos, Nikolaos; Economou, Emmanuel; Andreadou, Ioanna; Stefanadis, Christodoulos

doi:10.1016/j.amjhyper.2004.12.008

Cited by 179 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…However, it is possible that cocoa increased antioxidant potential and thus increased NO bioavailability independent of changes in oxidized LDL. Also of importance is our observation that vascular responses to nitroglycerin were similar after cocoa ingestion (0 -26 g cocoa) on all study days, consistent with prior findings (1,20,44). Collectively, these findings suggest that cocoa-induced increases in brachial artery FMD are likely to be mediated by enhanced production rather than enhanced vascular responsiveness to NO.…”

Section: Variablesupporting

confidence: 79%

“…However, acute intake does not increase endothelium-dependent vasodilation in all populations (14). In most of these previous studies the quantities of cocoa/chocolate ingested were very high, being roughly equivalent to 13 (13) or 26 g of cocoa (19,22,23,44). In only one of these previous studies was the effect of lower quantities of cocoa ingestion determined (75, 371, and 963 mg of total flavanols) and this determination was made only in medicated type 2 diabetics (1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically acute cocoa/chocolate ingestion increases brachial artery FMD in young healthy adults (44), adults with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (13,19), smokers (22,23), and diabetics (1). However, acute intake does not increase endothelium-dependent vasodilation in all populations (14).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adults

Monahan

Feehan

Kunselman

et al. 2011

Journal of Applied Physiology

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Monahan KD, Feehan RP, Kunselman AR, Preston AG, Miller DL, Lott ME. Dose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adults. J Appl Physiol 111: 1568 -1574. First published September 8, 2011 doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00865.2011.-An inverse relation exists between intake of flavonoid-rich foods, such as cocoa, and cardiovascular-related mortality. Favorable effects of flavonoids on the endothelium may underlie these associations. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to test the hypothesis that acute cocoa ingestion dose dependently increases endothelium-dependent vasodilation, as measured by an increase in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), in healthy older adults. Measurements were obtained before (preingestion) and after (1-and 2-h postingestion) ingestion of 0 (placebo), 2, 5, 13, and 26 g of cocoa in 23 adults (63 Ϯ 2 yr old, mean Ϯ SE). Changes in brachial artery FMD 1-and 2-h postingestion compared with preingestion were used to determine the effects of cocoa. FMD was unchanged 1 (⌬Ϫ0.3 Ϯ 0.2%)-and 2-h (⌬0.1 Ϯ 0.1%) after placebo (0 g cocoa). In contrast, FMD increased both 1-h postingestion (2 g cocoa ⌬0.0 Ϯ 0.2%, 5 g cocoa ⌬0.8 Ϯ 0.3%, 13 g cocoa ⌬1.0 Ϯ 0.3%, and 26 g cocoa ⌬1.6 Ϯ 0.3%: P Ͻ 0.05 compared with placebo for 5, 13, and 26 g cocoa) and 2-h postingestion (2 g cocoa ⌬0.5 Ϯ 0.3%, 5 g cocoa ⌬1.0 Ϯ 0.3%, 13 g cocoa ⌬1.4 Ϯ 0.2%, and 26 g cocoa ⌬2.5 Ϯ 0.4%: P Ͻ 0.05 compared with placebo for 5, 13, and 26 g cocoa) on the other study days. A serum marker of cocoa ingestion (total epicatechin) correlated with increased FMD 1-and 2-h postingestion (r ϭ 0.44 -0.48; both P Ͻ 0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that acute cocoa ingestion dose dependently increases brachial artery FMD in healthy older humans. These responses may help to explain associations between flavonoid intake and cardiovascular-related mortality in humans.flavonoid; flavanol; chocolate; endothelium; endothelial function THE ENDOTHELIUM CONTRIBUTES critically to cardiovascular homeostasis by influencing factors such as vascular tone, vascular permeability, platelet aggregation, and thrombosis. As abnormal function of the endothelium is a key event in the atherosclerotic process (15), it is not surprising that endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark feature of many cardiovascular disease states (33). Moreover, it is not surprising that aging, which is a primary risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis (29,36), is associated with marked endothelial dysfunction. Specifically, in response to stimulation of the vascular endothelium via pharmacological substances, such as acetylcholine, or physiological stimuli, such as increases in vascular shear stress, a reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response occurs in healthy older adults compared with healthy young adults (7,11,12,41). As low levels of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a commonly used method to assess endothelium-dependent vasodi...

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Section: Variablesupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adults

Monahan

Feehan

Kunselman

et al. 2011

Journal of Applied Physiology

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] There is recent evidence that the epicatchin content of cocoa is primarily responsible for its favorable impact on vascular endothelium, which reflects both an acute and chronic up-regulation of nitric oxide production. 15, 16 As is well known, physiological levels of nitric oxide support vascular health and efficient tissue perfusion by promoting vasodilation,…”

Section: Vascular-protective Benefits Of Flavanol-rich Cocoa Powdermentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential complementarity of high-flavanol cocoa powder and spirulina for health protection

2010

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“…Randomization and subject assignment was arranged by the University of Glasgow School of Mathematics and Statistics; the study team was blinded to the allocation sequence. Previous studies using nutritional interventions to modify vascular markers were consulted for power estimations and a target of 40 completed subjects determined (12)(13)(14)(15)(16). There were no changes to the study protocol entry criteria or outcome measures following commencement.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a beverage rich in (poly)phenols on established and novel risk markers for vascular disease in medically uncomplicated overweight or obese subjects: A four week randomized placebo-controlled trial

et al. 2016

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Objective: To determine if (poly)phenols alter cardiovascular risk factors, we assessed the potential of a high (poly)phenol beverage drink, rich in hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids, to modify vascular function in middle aged, overweight or obese subjects without medical comorbidity in a randomized placebo controlled pilot study. Methods: Randomly assigned active 250ml beverages containing 361mg of (poly)phenols and 120mg of vitamin C or placebo (no polyphenol / vitamin C) were taken twice daily for 4 weeks. Both beverages contained 40 kcals/250 ml. The primary end-points were pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cutaneous microvascular responses to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetyl choline (ACh) laser doppler iontophoresis. A range of established and novel plasma markers were also measured. Results:Twenty subjects received active beverage and 19 placebo; all completed the study. There was no difference in cutaneous vascular response to either SNP or ACh with mean group differences (log∆ area under perfusion curve) of 0.30 (-0.65, 1.26) and 0.35 (-0.11, 0.81) respectively. Nor was there evidence of a change in log PWV with a mean group difference of 0.029m/s (-0.042, 0.10). No significant differences were seen in plasma leptin, apolipoproteins, cystatin C, insulin, adiponectin, CRP, ICAM-1, E-Selectin or t-PA, but IL-6 increased in active versus placebo recipients (0.32 vs -0.18 pg/ml; p=0.010). Conculsion: There was no evidence for a short-term beneficial effect of (poly)phenol intervention on microcutaneous vascular response or pulse wave velocity, and no evidence for a benefit on established or novel risk factors in overweight or obese subjects. Our results do not support a short-term benefit of (poly)phenol supplementation on cardiometabolic risk. PWV pulse wave velocity; SNP sodium nitroprusside; ACh acetyl choline, HPLC-MS 2 high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

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Effect of Dark Chocolate on Arterial Function in Healthy Individuals

Cited by 179 publications

References 33 publications

Dose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adults

Dose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adults

Potential complementarity of high-flavanol cocoa powder and spirulina for health protection

Effects of a beverage rich in (poly)phenols on established and novel risk markers for vascular disease in medically uncomplicated overweight or obese subjects: A four week randomized placebo-controlled trial

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