The evidence linking chocolate with lowered blood pressure has been observed. However, the interventions have been short, at most 4 weeks. The aim of this study is to find out if the habitual consumption of dark chocolate for 8 weeks has an effect on blood pressure. Also, more insight to the mechanisms linking chocolate to individual healt-responses is needed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Mildly hypertensive subject will replace their usual snacks with with 50 g dark chocolate daily for a period of 8 weeks.
Usual snacks are limited.
University of Helsinki
Helsinki, Helsingin Yliopisto, Finland
Institute of Clinical Medicine
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Usual daily snack is replaced by 50 g dark chocolate for a period of 8 weeks. During the control period, the same usual snack is limited in the diet, but without the replacement with the dark chocolate.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Ambulatory blood pressure
Time frame: 8 weeks
Blood lipids, inflammation markers, plasma levels of cocoa polyphenols
Time frame: 8 weeks
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