Cardiovascular disease Circulatory System Cardiovascular disease, unspecified
Conditions
Interventions
Subjects were supplied with packets of cocoa powder. They were instructed to take two packets daily for two 6 week periods (dissolved in water) with a break inbetween (minimum of 4 weeks break). Each
Sponsors
Kings College London (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Female
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Non-smoking postmenopausal women aged between 48 and 65 years
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Current smokers were excluded due to confounding influences of smoking on measurement of endothelial function 2. A reported history of myocardial infarction, angina, venous thrombosis, stroke, diabetes (fasting plasma glucose > 7mmol/L) or invasive cancer in the last five years 3. Recent use of oral hypolipidaemic therapy (in the last three months) 4. Current use of antihypertensive medication 5. Those receiving drugs for regulating haemostasis but excluding aspirin or who have been exposed to any investigational agent within 30 days of the study 6. Presence of gastrointestinal disorder or use of a drug, which is likely to alter gastrointestinal motility or nutrient absorption 7. Alcohol intake exceeding a moderate intake (>28 units per week) 8. Body Mass Index between 35 kg/m2 9. Blood pressure systolic >160mm Hg or diastolic >100 mm Hg 10. Fasting blood cholesterol >7.8 mmol/l 11. Fasting plasma triacyglycerol concentrations > 3 mmol/l 12. Estimated cardiovascular risk of greater than 20% over the next 10 years using the Framingham algorithm 13. Subjects unable to tolerate chocolate products 14. Dietary supplements other than vitamin and mineral supplement or fish oil (not exceeding 0.45g long chain n-3 fatty acids/d)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure The outcome measures were taken at the beginning and end of each intervention period. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Arterial stiffness, flow mediated dilatation, plasma ICAM-1, VCAM-1, C-reactive protein, P-selectin, 8-isoprostane F2 a, lipids and urinary 8-isoprostane F2 | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed