Effects of cocoa-rich chocolate on cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. A randomised clinical trial

Garcia-Yu, Irene A; Gómez‐Marcos, Manuel A.; Rodríguez‐Sánchez, Emiliano; Mora‐Simón, Sara; Maderuelo-Fernandez, José A; Recio-Rodríguez, José I

doi:10.1080/1028415x.2020.1840119

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The epidemiological and clinical evidence on cocoa/chocolate and cognition is controversial. A slight improvement of cognitive performance was observed in a RCT of cocoa-rich chocolate in postmenopausal women, a population prone to cognitive difficulties in relation to hormonal changes [26].…”

Section: Randomized Controlled Trials Of Nutritional Intervention Aga...mentioning

confidence: 94%

Can specific nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns modulate cognitive function in (older) adults? Latest evidence from randomized controlled trials

Ros¹

2021

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition &Amp; Metabolic Care

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Purpose of review Epidemiological findings and results of randomized clinical trials in the last two decades have identified diet as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, a predementia stage that is increasing worldwide as population ages. The literature on this critical association is expanding, making this review relevant and timely. Recent findings Data from 15 trials and several systematic reviews/meta-analyses indicate that, in healthy older adults, isolated nutrients or antioxidant-rich foods usually fail to improve cognition. However, studies targeting populations at risk of cognitive decline tend to have positive results. There is ample epidemiological evidence of cognitive benefit from plant-based dietary patterns (i.e., Mediterranean diet), but more clinical trials are needed. Long-term multicomponent trials, simultaneously targeting several risk factors in patients with early dementia stages, offer promising evidence. A long-term multinutrient intervention in patients at risk for dementia appears as a sound preventive strategy. Summary This review summarizes the latest evidence on nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns as tools to improve cognition and promote brain health. Dietary changes are important to help delay cognitive decline, particularly in populations more at risk. Large-scale strategies based on healthy diets combined with other health-promoting lifestyle changes should be a public health priority.

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Section: Randomized Controlled Trials Of Nutritional Intervention Aga...mentioning

confidence: 94%

Can specific nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns modulate cognitive function in (older) adults? Latest evidence from randomized controlled trials

Ros¹

2021

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition &Amp; Metabolic Care

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“…A recent work reported that adding 10 g daily of cocoa-rich chocolate to the usual diet in menopausal patients decreases their percentage of body fat mass without changes to their overall bodyweight [45]. Moreover, cocoa polyphenols also demonstrated a mild improvement in cognitive ability and processing speed in the same patient population [46]. Considering the higher risk in menopause of developing cardiovascular diseases [47], a recent work by Grassi and colleagues demonstrated that cocoa polyphenols may contribute to an increase in the endothelial function, leading to improved arterial blood pressure, levels of cholesterol, and blood glucose, especially in elder women [31,32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Dietary Supplementation of Myo-Inositol, Cocoa Polyphenols, and Soy Isoflavones Improves Vasomotor Symptoms and Metabolic Profile in Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Mainini,

Ercolano,

De Simone

et al. 2024

Medicina

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Background and Objectives: Hormonal changes physiologically occurring in menopausal women may increase the risk of developing metabolic and vasomotor disturbances, which contribute to increase the risk of developing other concomitant pathologies, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Materials and Methods: Retrospective data from 200 menopausal women with MetS and vasomotor symptoms taking one sachet per day of the dietary supplement INOFOLIC® NRT (Farmares srl, Rome, Italy) were collected. Each sachet consisted of myo-Inositol (2000 mg), cocoa polyphenols (30 mg), and soy isoflavones (80 mg, of which 50 mg is genistin). Patients recorded their symptoms through a medical questionnaire at the beginning of the administration (T0) and after 6 months (T1). Results: We observed an improvement in both the frequency and the severity of hot flushes: increased percentage of 2-to-3hot flushes (28 at T0 vs. 65% at T1, p value < 0.001) and decreased percentage of 4-to-9hot flushes (54% at T0 vs. 18% at T1, p value < 0.001). Moreover, symptoms of depression improved after supplementation (87% at T0 vs. 56% at T1 of patients reported moderate depression symptoms, p value < 0.001). Regarding metabolic profile, women improved body mass index and waist circumference with a reduction in the percentage of overweight and obesity women (88% at T0 vs. 51% at T1, p value = 0.01; 14% at T0 vs. 9% at T1, p value = 0.04). In addition, the number of women suffering from non-insulin dependent diabetes reduced (26% at T0 vs. 16% at T1, p value = 0.04). Conclusions: These data corroborate previously observed beneficial effects of the oral administration of myo-Inositol, cocoa polyphenols, and soy isoflavones against menopausal symptoms in the study population. Considering the promising results of the present study, further prospective controlled clinical trials are needed to deeply understand and support the efficacy of these natural compounds for the management of menopausal symptoms.

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“…In addition, the total content of polyphenols in foods is influenced by edaphoclimatic factors and culinary preparation. Other foods rich in polyphenols that have been shown to improve cognitive aspects are, among others, cocoa [ 38 , 39 ], olive oil [ 40 , 41 ], nuts [ 40 ], fish [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], or tea [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a Raisin Supplement on Cognitive Performance, Quality of Life, and Functional Activities in Healthy Older Adults. Randomized Clinical Trial

et al. 2023

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of consuming 50 g of raisins on cognitive performance, quality of life, and functional activities in healthy older adults. This is a parallel randomized controlled clinical trial, in which 80 subjects over 70 years of age participated. For 6 months, the intervention group (IG; n = 40) consumed 50 g of raisins per day added to their usual diet, whereas the control group (CG; n = 40) received no supplement. All variables were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Cognitive performance assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test shows a difference of 3.27 points (95% CI 1.59 to 4.96), p ≤ 0.001, favorable to the IG, after the intervention. Among the cognitive performances, an improvement is observed in the IG in orientation, assessed both with the MOCA test 0.49 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.87), p = 0.014, and with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test, 0.36 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.70), p = 0.038. In visuospatial/executive capacity and in language, improvements were also observed in the IG, 1.36 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.95), p = 0.001, and 0.54 points (95% CI 0.12 to 0.96), p = 0.014, respectively. Immediate and delayed recall, assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, improved in the IG. In addition, the IG showed a better quality of life and greater autonomy in instrumental activities of daily living after 6 months. No significant changes were observed in the rest of the variables analyzed. Therefore, the consumption of 50 g of raisins produces a slight improvement in cognitive performance, quality of life, and functional activities in the elderly.

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Effects of cocoa-rich chocolate on cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. A randomised clinical trial

Cited by 10 publications

References 33 publications

Can specific nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns modulate cognitive function in (older) adults? Latest evidence from randomized controlled trials

Can specific nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns modulate cognitive function in (older) adults? Latest evidence from randomized controlled trials

Dietary Supplementation of Myo-Inositol, Cocoa Polyphenols, and Soy Isoflavones Improves Vasomotor Symptoms and Metabolic Profile in Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Effects of a Raisin Supplement on Cognitive Performance, Quality of Life, and Functional Activities in Healthy Older Adults. Randomized Clinical Trial

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