Potential effects of chocolate on human pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Renzo, Gian Carlo Di; Brillo, Eleonora; Romanelli, M; Porcaro, Giuseppina; Capanna, Federica; Kanninen, Tomi T.; Gerli, Sandro; Clerici, Graziano

doi:10.3109/14767058.2012.683085

Cited by 23 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…According to the authors, unmeasured confounding or reverse causation may account for the positive association previously reported as discussed above. A non-placebo, controlled, non-blinded study by Di Renzo et al [13] suggested that modest daily intake of high-cocoa content chocolate contributes to BP reduction during pregnancy. The results of these epidemiologic studies reinforce the importance to assess the effect of chocolate consumption using a clinical trial design.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial

Mogollon¹,

Bujold

Lemieux³

et al. 2013

Nutr J

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BackgroundSeveral randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicate that flavanol-rich chocolate has beneficial effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure (BP). However, no RCTs have evaluated these outcomes in pregnant women. The objective of this 2-group, parallel, double-blind RCT was to examine the effects of flavanol-rich chocolate on FMD and BP in pregnant women with normal BP.MethodsForty-four healthy, pregnant women were randomized to the high-flavanol (n = 23) or low-flavanol (n = 21) chocolate consumption for 12 weeks. At randomization (0, 60, 120 and 180 min after a single 40-g dose of chocolate), 6 and 12 weeks after daily 20-g chocolate intake, we evaluated plasma concentrations of flavanols and theobromine, as well as the FMD and BP.ResultsPlasma epicatechin was significantly increased (p < 0.001) 180 min after the consumption of 40-g high-flavanol chocolate compared to low-flavanol chocolate. Theobromine concentrations were significantly higher 180 min and 12 weeks after the intake of experimental chocolate or low-flavanol chocolate (p < 0.001). FMD was not different between the 2 groups at all pre-defined time periods. No other significant within-group or between-group changes were observed.ConclusionThese results confirm the feasibility of a large-scale RCT comparing daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate to an equivalent placebo during pregnancy and demonstrate higher plasma epicatechin and theobromine concentration in the intervention group after acute ingestionTrial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01659060

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, this association was not found in another case–control study [12]. Finally, a non-placebo, controlled, non-blinded study by Di Renzo et al [13] suggested that modest daily intake of high-cocoa content chocolate contributes to BP reduction during pregnancy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial

Mogollon¹,

Bujold

Lemieux³

et al. 2013

Nutr J

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“…Ellinger et al (2012) concluded that even a daily dose as low as 25 mg of epicatechin derived from a cocoa product was associated with a remarkable BP decrease which might be consistent with a decreased CV risk. Di Renzo and coworkers observed a BP decrease in pregnant women consuming daily 30 g of dark chocolate with 13 mg of monomeric flavanols (Di Renzo et al, 2012). These overall conclusions must, however, be examined very carefully.…”

Section: The Effect Of Cocoa On CV Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Cocoa Flavanols on Cardiovascular Health

et al. 2016

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The aim of the study was to review the effect of cocoa flavanols on cardiovascular health, with emphasis on the doses ingested, and to analyze a range of cocoa products for content of these compounds. PubMed was searched from 2010 to locate systematic reviews (SR) on clinical effects of chocolate consumption. Thirteen SRs were identified and reviewed, and provided strong evidence that dark chocolate did not reduce blood pressure. The evidence was however strong for an association with increased flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and moderate for an improvement in blood glucose and lipid metabolism. Our analysis showed that cocoa products with around 100 mg epicatechin can reliably increase FMD, and that cocoa flavanol doses of around 900 mg or above may decrease blood pressure in specific individuals and/or if consumed over longer periods. Out of 32 cocoa product samples analyzed, the two food supplements delivered 900 mg of total flavanols and 100 mg epicatechin in doses of 7 g and 20 g and 3 and 8 g, respectively. To achieve these doses with chocolate, around 100 to 500 g (for 900 mg flavanols) and 50 to 200 g (for 100 mg epicatechin) would need to be consumed. Chocolate products marketed for their purported health benefits should therefore declare the amounts of total flavanols and epicatechin. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…Abstention from alcohol, smoking cessation, exercises for the maintenance of fitness, calcium supplementation, and stress reduction, among others are recommended to prevent preeclampsia and its complications. Some studies have found a significant reduction of blood pressure with daily intake of chocolate, resulting in a reduced risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia [71], [72]. Although previous research have found a positive influence of physical activity on pregnant women and their infants [73][74][75], there is a lack of clinically-validated research aimed to determine the influence of exercise on risk of hypertensive disorders.…”

Section: Data Extractionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Mobile Health Solutions for Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: Scoping Literature Review (Preprint)

Rivera-Romero¹,

Olmo²,

Muñoz³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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Background: Hypertensive disorders are the most common complications during pregnancy with incidence rates between 5% and 11% of pregnancies, being gestational hypertension and preeclampsia the leading causes of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) where maternal and perinatal mortality ratios are still high. Pregnant women with hypertensive disorders could greatly benefit from m-Health solutions, as a novel way to identify and control early symptoms, as shown in an increasing number of publications in the field. Those digital health solutions may overcome access limiting factors and the lack of skilled medical professionals and finances

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Potential effects of chocolate on human pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract: A modest daily intake of high-cocoa-content chocolate contributes to reduce blood pressure, glycemic and liver pattern during pregnancy without affecting the weight gain.

Cited by 23 publications

References 28 publications

Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial

Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial

The Impact of Cocoa Flavanols on Cardiovascular Health

Mobile Health Solutions for Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: Scoping Literature Review (Preprint)

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