Hypertension Prehypertension Lifestyle intervention
Conditions
Interventions
Three weeks daily consumption of a cocoa drink rich in flavanols and rich in theobromine, a cocoa drink rich in flavanols but low in theobromine and a placebo drink in random order. In between 2 weeks
Sponsors
Academic Medical Center
University of Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Written informed consent 2. Age 40-70 years 3. Men and postmenopausal women 4. Blood pressure 130-159/85-99 mmHg 5. Maximum of 2 risk factors according to ESH 2007 guidelines 6. BMI > 18 and < 30 g/m2 7. Not on active anti-hypertensive treatment with at least six weeks since last use of antihypertensive medication 8.Willing to restrict daily intake of coffee below 4 cups and to refrain from dark chocolate and to refrain from supplements that contain polyphenols from the screening visit to the end of the study determined by examination at information meetings
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Previous cardiovascular event(s) (stroke, TIA, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure) 2. Total cholesterol > 8.0 mmol/L 3. Diabetes mellitus, defined as fasting glucose > 7.0 mmol/L or use of glucose lowering drugs 4. Reported alcohol consumption > 28 alcohol units/week 5. Other diseases or oral medication affecting blood pressure 6. Currently on a medically prescribed diet, or slimming diet 7. Reported intense sporting activities > 10 h/w 8. Being lactose intolerant
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The difference in blood pressure between the placebo treatment arm and the cocoa treatment arms as assessed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The difference between the placebo treatment arm and the cocoa treatment arms in: * Augmentation index, central (aortic) blood pressure and pulse wave velocity as assessed by the Sphygmocor device. * Systemic vascular resistance as assessed by Finapres. * Insulin sensitivity, lipid profile measured with standard laboratory techniques. * Platelet aggregation and function. * Mood and psychological well-being (via self-report questionnaires) | — |
Contacts
Public ContactB. Bogaard, van den
Academic Medical Center Department of Vascular Medicine (room F4-255) P.O. Box 22660
Outcome results
None listed