Chocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.
Nutr J
; 13: 66, 2014 Jun 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24970388
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has deleterious effects on the skin, including sunburn, photoaging and cancer. Chocolate flavanols are naturally-occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that could play a role in preventing cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the influence of 12-week high-flavanol chocolate (HFC) consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation, measured by minimal erythema dose (MED). We also evaluated skin elasticity and hydration.METHODS:
In this 2-group, parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 74 women aged 20-65 years and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I or II were recruited from the general community in Quebec City, for randomization to either HFC (n = 33) or low-flavanol chocolate (LFC) (n = 41). A blocked randomisation (4), considering date of entry, skin type and age as factors, generated a sequentially-numbered allocation list. Study participants and research assistants were blinded. Totally, 30 g of chocolate were consumed daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 3-week washout period. MED was assessed at baseline and at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks. Main outcome was changes in MED at week 12.RESULTS:
33 participants in the HFC group and 41 in the LFC group were analyzed with 15 weeks of follow-up. Both groups showed similarly-increased MED at 12 weeks (HFC 0.0252 ± 0.1099 J/cm2 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]; LFC 0.0151 ± 0.1118; mean difference (MD) 0.0100 J/cm2; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.0417 to 0.0618). However, after 3-week washout, the HFC group presented decreased MED (-0.0248 ± 0.1145) whereas no effect was seen in the LFC group (0.0168 ± 0.1698) (MD -0.0417; 95% CI -0.1106 to 0.0272). Net temple elasticity increased slightly but significantly by 0.09 ± 0.12 mm in the HFC group at 12 weeks compared to 0.02 ± 0.12 mm in the LFC group (MD 0.06; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12 ). No significant adverse events were reported.CONCLUSION:
Our study failed to demonstrate a statistically-significant protective effect of HFC vs. LFC consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation as measured by MED. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01444625.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Protectores contra Radiación
/
Piel
/
Quemadura Solar
/
Polifenoles
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
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Humans
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nutr J
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIAS DA NUTRICAO
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article