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Effects of sugar-sweetened and sugar-free cocoa on endothelial function in overweight adults

2009; Elsevier BV; Volume: 149; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.12.010

1874-1754

Valentine Njike, Zubaida Faridi, Kerem Shuval, Suparna Dutta, Colin D. Kay, Sheila G. West, Penny M. Kris‐Etherton, David L. Katz,

Cardiovascular Disease and Adiposity

Abstract Background Studies of cocoa suggest an array of cardiovascular benefits; however, the effects of daily intake of sugar-free and sugar-sweetened cocoa beverages on endothelial function (EF) have yet to be established. Methods 44 adults (BMI 25–35kg/m 2 ) participated in a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence: sugar-free cocoa beverage, sugar-sweetened cocoa beverage, and sugar-sweetened cocoa-free placebo. Treatments were administered daily for 6weeks, with a 4-week washout period. Results Cocoa ingestion improved EF measured as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) compared to placebo (sugar-free cocoa: change, 2.4% [95% CI, 1.5 to 3.2] vs. −0.8% [95% CI, −1.9 to 0.3]; difference, 3.2% [95% CI, 1.8 to 4.6]; p <0.001 and sugar-sweetened cocoa: change, 1.5% [95% CI, 0.6 to 2.4] vs. −0.8% [95% CI, −1.9 to 0.3]; difference, 2.3% [95% CI, 0.9 to 3.7]; p= 0.002). The magnitude of improvement in FMD after consumption of sugar-free versus sugar-sweetened cocoa was greater, but not significantly. Other biomarkers of cardiac risk did not change appreciably from baseline. BMI remained stable throughout the study. Conclusions Daily cocoa ingestion improves EF independently of other biomarkers of cardiac risk, and does not cause weight gain. Sugar-free preparations may further augment endothelial function.