The purpose of this study was to measure potential mood, cognition and blood pressure effects of theobromine and caffeine in healthy women
Background Previous research has shown that naturally occurring chocolate ingredients theobromine and caffeine have positive effects on mood. Objectives: To assess mood and cognition in adult subjects after the consumption of capsules filled with 1. placebo, 2. theobromine alone, 3. caffeine alone or, 4. theobromine and caffeine combined together. Study design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over design, with a 1 week washout period in between. During the 4 weeks intervention period, once a week one of the 4 types of test products were consumed with 250ml of water in a randomized order; 1. placebo capsules 2. theobromine capsules (700 mg), 3. caffeine capsules (120 mg), 4. mix of theobromine (700 mg) and caffeine (120 mg). Twenty-four healthy female subjects (and 4 reserve subjects) were recruited for a four week intervention period in total with every week a 4 hrs measurement day and one of the interventions. Primary parameters: mood (via a Bond-Lader/ caffeine visual analogue questionnaire), cognition (Digit Symbol substitution) Secondary parameters: blood pressure
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
24
700 mg theobromine in gelatin capsules given one time only
120 mg caffeine in capsules given one time only
120 mg caffeine and 700 mg theobromine in capsules given one time only
Unilever Discover
Vlaardingen, South Holland, Netherlands
Mood and cognition
Bond Lader Visual Analogue Scale Digit Symbol Substitution Caffeine Negative Symptoms
Time frame: 3 hrs every week for 4 weeks
blood pressure and heart rate
Time frame: 3 hrs every week for 4 weeks
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cellulose in capsules given one time only