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Guo L, Li F, Tang G, Yang B, Yu N, Guo F, Li C. Association of ultra-processed foods consumption with risk of cardio-cerebrovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 33:2076-2088. [PMID: 37573217 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The epidemiological evidence regarding the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) is controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine the association between UPF consumption and the risk of CCVDs within cohort studies. DATA SYNTHESIS A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases, covering the inception of these databases up until January 1st, 2023. A total of 39 cohort studies involving 63,573,312 human participants were deemed eligible according to the inclusion criteria. Utilizing random-effects models, risk ratios (RRs) were estimated to determine the pooled results. Our findings indicate a significant association between a higher consumption of UPF and an increased likelihood of CCVDs (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16, I2 = 89%; p < 0.01) compared to individuals who either abstain from or consume lesser amounts of UPF. Nonlinear dose-response meta-analyses showed that a consistent high intake of UPFs was associated with an elevated risk of developing CCVDs (p non-linearity <0.001). Notably, the risk of CCVDs escalated by approximately 7% with an UPF intake of up to 1 serving per day. Subgroup analysis further revealed a significant augmentation in the risk of total CVD and hypertension with increased UPF consumption. CONCLUSIONS A higher intake of UPF significantly increases the risk of developing CCVDs. Prospective studies controlling for confounding factors are needed to validate the relationship between UPF intake and the development of CCVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Fumin Li
- School of Medicine. University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Department of Orthopedics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences &Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Guo Tang
- Department of Emergency, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Center for Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Nengwei Yu
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Fuqiang Guo
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China.
| | - Chunling Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China.
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MacDonald CJ, Madika AL, Bonnet F, Fagherazzi G, Lajous M, Boutron-Ruault MC. Consumption of cocoa-containing foods and risk of hypertension in French women. Eur J Epidemiol 2020; 35:465-469. [PMID: 31982982 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-020-00603-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Multiple randomised controlled trials have shown high doses of cocoa to reduce blood pressure and improve endothelial function. However, evidence regarding long-term consumption of cocoa and its potential effect on hypertension is lacking. We aimed to prospectively evaluate if cocoa intake from various food sources was associated with incident hypertension. Among 45,653 women of the E3N cohort, chocolate consumption was estimated from a 208 item dietary questionnaire and 24-h recall. Quantities of cocoa for certain foods including chocolate drinks, Danish pastries, chocolate biscuits, chocolate cakes, chocolate candy-bars, plain chocolate bars, and chocolate desserts, were estimated using a detailed food composition table. Using Cox models with time-update exposures, we assessed associations between specific sources of cocoa, and hypertension risk. Self-reported cases were validated using a drug reimbursement database. 12,793 cases of hypertension were identified. Median cocoa consumption in the entire cohort was 2.3 g/day at baseline. Moderate but not high cocoa consumption from all sources was inversely associated with the risk of hypertension (hazard ratios HRQ1-Q3 0.93 [0.88:0.98], HRQ1-Q4 0.98 [0.93:1.03], p for trend < 0.01). Consumption of cocoa from plain chocolate was associated with reduced risk (HRT1-T2 0.89 [0.85:0.94] and HRT1-T3: 0.93 [0.89:0.97], p for trend < 0.01). Cocoa from dessert sources was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (HRT1-T3 1.09 [1.04:1.14], p for trend < 0.01). Moderate consumption of cocoa from plain chocolate could potentially reduce hypertension risk. Cocoa from sweet sources was associated with increased risk of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor-James MacDonald
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) U1018, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Anne-Laure Madika
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) U1018, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.,CHU Lille, Université de Lille, EA 2694 - Santé publique : épidémiologie et qualité des soins, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Bonnet
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) U1018, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.,Université Rennes1, F-35043, Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - Guy Fagherazzi
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) U1018, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.,Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Martin Lajous
- Center for Research on Population Health, INSP (Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública), Cuernavaca, Mexico.,Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) U1018, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. .,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.
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Regecova V, Jurkovicova J, Babjakova J, Bernatova I. The Effect of a Single Dose of Dark Chocolate on Cardiovascular Parameters and Their Reactivity to Mental Stress. J Am Coll Nutr 2019; 39:414-421. [PMID: 31526307 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2019.1662341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the effect of a single administration of dark or milk chocolate on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and double product (DP) in young healthy women at rest and during acute mental stress.Method: Measurements consisted of anthropometry, BP, and HR. Mean arterial BP (MAP) and DP were computed. The relative reactivity of individual variables was quantified as to their percentage change during the rest or test of mental arithmetic (MA) with respect to the respective baseline value. All subjects underwent two tests of MA-one before chocolate administration and the second one 2 hours after chocolate (1 mg/g of body weight) ingestion.Results: Two hours after ingestion at rest, dark chocolate administration resulted in a significant increase in relative values of systolic BP and DP by 5.1% ± 1.4% and 13.7% ± 3.2%, respectively, compared to the responses in the milk chocolate group (-2.4% ± 1.6% and 0.6% ± 3.4%, respectively, p < 0.04 for both comparisons) without changes in diastolic BP, HR, and MAP. During MA-induced acute stress, the relative magnitude of the reactivity of diastolic BP, HR, MAP, and DP decreased by about 10, 16, 8, and 23 percentage points, respectively, 2 hours after ingestion of dark chocolate compared to the relative reactivity determined before dark chocolate ingestion. Milk chocolate failed to affect any of the above-mentioned parameters at rest or during stress.Conclusions: The single oral intake of 85% dark chocolate increased relative values of systolic BP and DP at rest but buffered the reactivity of diastolic BP, HR, MAP, and DP during mental stress, which was not found after ingestion of milk chocolate. Thus, dark chocolate might have a beneficial effect during acute stress due to its ability to buffer cardiovascular reactivity in young healthy women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Regecova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Jurkovicova
- Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Babjakova
- Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Iveta Bernatova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Morze J, Schwedhelm C, Bencic A, Hoffmann G, Boeing H, Przybylowicz K, Schwingshackl L. Chocolate and risk of chronic disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr 2019; 59:389-397. [PMID: 30805697 PMCID: PMC7000512 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-01914-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Evidence for the association between chocolate intake and risk of chronic diseases is inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to synthesize and evaluate the credibility of evidence on the dose-response association between chocolate consumption with risk of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure (HF), type 2 diabetes (T2D), colorectal cancer (CRC), and hypertension. Methods Prospective studies were searched until July 2018 in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Random-effects meta-analyses comparing highest versus lowest intake categories, linear, and non-linear dose-response analyses were conducted. The credibility of evidence was evaluated with the NutriGrade scoring-system. Results Overall, 27 investigations were identified (n = 2 for all-cause mortality, n = 9 for CHD, n = 8 for stroke, n = 6 for HF, n = 6 for T2D, n = 2 for hypertension and CRC, respectively). No associations with HF (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94, 1.04) and T2D (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88, 1.01) per each 10 g/day increase in chocolate intake were observed in the linear dose-response meta-analyses. However, a small inverse association for each 10 g/daily increase could be shown for the risk of CHD (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93, 0.99), and stroke (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82, 0.98). The credibility of evidence was rated either very low (all-cause mortality, HF, T2D, CRC or hypertension) or low (CHD, stroke). Conclusion Chocolate consumption is not related to risk for several chronic diseases, but could have a small inverse association with CHD and stroke. Our findings are limited by very low or low credibility of evidence, highlighting important uncertainty for chocolate–disease associations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00394-019-01914-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Morze
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Sloneczna 45f, 10-718, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Carolina Schwedhelm
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany.,NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research Berlin-Potsdam, 14458, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Aleksander Bencic
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Georg Hoffmann
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, UZA II, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heiner Boeing
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Przybylowicz
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Sloneczna 45f, 10-718, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Lukas Schwingshackl
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany. .,NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research Berlin-Potsdam, 14458, Nuthetal, Germany. .,Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 153, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
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Gianfredi V, Salvatori T, Nucci D, Villarini M, Moretti M. Can chocolate consumption reduce cardio-cerebrovascular risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition 2018; 46:103-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Ferri C, Desideri G, Ferri L, Proietti I, Di Agostino S, Martella L, Mai F, Di Giosia P, Grassi D. Cocoa, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2015; 63:9901-9909. [PMID: 26125676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
High blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events worldwide. Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that cocoa-rich products reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to this, cocoa has a high content in polyphenols, especially flavanols. Flavanols have been described to exert favorable effects on endothelium-derived vasodilation via the stimulation of nitric oxide-synthase, the increased availability of l-arginine, and the decreased degradation of NO. Cocoa may also have a beneficial effect by protecting against oxidative stress alterations and via decreased platelet aggregation, decreased lipid oxidation, and insulin resistance. These effects are associated with a decrease of blood pressure and a favorable trend toward a reduction in cardiovascular events and strokes. Previous meta-analyses have shown that cocoa-rich foods may reduce blood pressure. Long-term trials investigating the effect of cocoa products are needed to determine whether or not blood pressure is reduced on a chronic basis by daily ingestion of cocoa. Furthermore, long-term trials investigating the effect of cocoa on clinical outcomes are also needed to assess whether cocoa has an effect on cardiovascular events. A 3 mmHg systolic blood pressure reduction has been estimated to decrease the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. This paper summarizes new findings concerning cocoa effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular health, focusing on putative mechanisms of action and "nutraceutical " viewpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Ferri
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovambattista Desideri
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Livia Ferri
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ilenia Proietti
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefania Di Agostino
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Letizia Martella
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Mai
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Giosia
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Davide Grassi
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila , 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
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Keeler CL, Mattes RD, Tan SY. Anticipatory and reactive responses to chocolate restriction in frequent chocolate consumers. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2015; 23:1130-5. [PMID: 26010325 DOI: 10.1002/oby.21098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many individuals have difficulty adhering to a weight loss diet. One possible explanation could be that dietary restriction paradoxically contributes to overconsumption. The objective of this study was to examine ingestive behavior under a forced chocolate restriction with a focus on the anticipatory restriction period and the post-restriction period in frequent chocolate consumers. METHODS Fifty-six male (N = 18) and female (N = 38) high chocolate consumers with high (N = 25) or low (N = 31) cognitive disinhibition participated. Chocolate snacks were provided for a week each to establish baseline, pre-restriction, and post-restriction consumption, Chocolate snacks were replaced with nonchocolate snacks during a 3-week chocolate restriction period. RESULTS Highly disinhibited participants felt more guilty and consumed significantly more energy than low disinhibited participants across snack conditions. Low disinhibited participants consumed significantly less in the post-restriction period compared to baseline and the pre-restriction period, while high disinhibited participants consumed the same amount across all conditions. Aggregating the data, high and low disinhibited chocolate consumers ate snacks more frequently in the pre- and post-restriction periods compared to the baseline period. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that for some individuals, restriction of a preferred food like chocolate may be contraindicated for energy restriction and weight management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsey L Keeler
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard D Mattes
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Sze-Yen Tan
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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Cassidy A, O'Reilly ÉJ, Kay C, Sampson L, Franz M, Forman JP, Curhan G, Rimm EB. Habitual intake of flavonoid subclasses and incident hypertension in adults. Am J Clin Nutr 2011; 93:338-47. [PMID: 21106916 PMCID: PMC3021426 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.110.006783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary flavonoids have beneficial effects on blood pressure in intervention settings, but there is limited information on habitual intake and risk of hypertension in population-based studies. OBJECTIVE We examined the association between habitual flavonoid intake and incident hypertension in a prospective study in men and women. DESIGN A total of 87,242 women from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) II, 46,672 women from the NHS I, and 23,043 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) participated in the study. Total flavonoid and subclass intakes were calculated from semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaires collected every 4 y by using an updated and extended US Department of Agriculture database. RESULTS During 14 y of follow-up, 29,018 cases of hypertension in women and 5629 cases of hypertension in men were reported. In pooled multivariate-adjusted analyses, participants in the highest quintile of anthocyanin intake (predominantly from blueberries and strawberries) had an 8% reduction in risk of hypertension [relative risk (RR): 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98; P < 0.03] compared with that for participants in the lowest quintile of anthocyanin intake; the risk reduction was 12% (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.93; P < 0.001) in participants ≤60 y of age and 0.96 (0.91, 1.02) in participants >60 y of age (P for age interaction = 0.02). Although intakes of other subclasses were not associated with hypertension, pooled analyses for individual compounds suggested a 5% (95% CI: 0.91, 0.99; P = 0.005) reduction in risk for the highest compared with the lowest quintiles of intake of the flavone apigenin. In participants ≤60 y of age, a 6% (95% CI: 0.88, 0.97; P = 0.002) reduction in risk was observed for the flavan-3-ol catechin when the highest and the lowest quintiles were compared. CONCLUSIONS Anthocyanins and some flavone and flavan-3-ol compounds may contribute to the prevention of hypertension. These vasodilatory properties may result from specific structural similarities (including the B-ring hydroxylation and methyoxylation pattern).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aedín Cassidy
- School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Grassi D, Desideri G, Ferri C. Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk: What about cocoa and chocolate? Arch Biochem Biophys 2010; 501:112-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2010.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Vlachopoulos CV, Alexopoulos NA, Aznaouridis KA, Ioakeimidis NC, Dima IA, Dagre A, Vasiliadou C, Stefanadi EC, Stefanadis CI. Relation of habitual cocoa consumption to aortic stiffness and wave reflections, and to central hemodynamics in healthy individuals. Am J Cardiol 2007; 99:1473-5. [PMID: 17493484 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2006.12.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2006] [Revised: 12/21/2006] [Accepted: 12/21/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The effect of habitual cocoa consumption on arterial stiffness and wave reflection indexes, as well as on peripheral and central blood pressure, was assessed in 198 healthy subjects. In conclusion, higher cocoa intake was an independent determinant of low arterial stiffness and wave reflection indexes and was also independently associated with significantly lower central (aortic) pulse pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalambos V Vlachopoulos
- Peripheral Vessels Unit, 1st Cardiology Department, Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Vlachopoulos C, Alexopoulos N, Stefanadis C. Effect of dark chocolate on arterial function in healthy individuals: Cocoa instead of ambrosia? Curr Hypertens Rep 2006; 8:205-11. [PMID: 17147918 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-006-0052-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cocoa has been consumed for at least 2500 years, and for long time it has been regarded as a medicine. Arterial function is of paramount importance for the proper function and integrity of the cardiovascular system. Dark chocolate and flavonoid-rich cocoa have beneficial acute and short-term effects on endothelial function and wave reflections in normal individuals, in adults with cardiovascular risk factors, and in patients with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, dark chocolate and flavonoid-rich cocoa may have a blood pressure-lowering effect. These effects can be attributed to flavonoids and are mainly mediated through increased nitric oxide bioavailability. Further research is needed to demonstrate whether these effects of chocolate on arterial function are translated into clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalambos Vlachopoulos
- Hypertension Unit and Peripheral Vessels Unit, 1st Cardiology Department, Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital 17, Kerassoundos Str., Athens 11528, Greece.
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