Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial.
Nutr J
; 12: 41, 2013 Apr 08.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23565841
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Several 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.METHODS:
Forty-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.RESULTS:
Plasma 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.CONCLUSION:
These 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 ingestion TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01659060.
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Presión Sanguínea
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Cacao
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Dulces
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Endotelio
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Polifenoles
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Año:
2013
Tipo del documento:
Article